The Ghana Armed Forces and Ghana Prisons have promise to bring more excitement, action and security to the second edition of the Ghana Professional Boxing League 2023.

Speaking at the launch of the Season Two at the Mudor Conference Hall, David Bawa and Jerry Lartey of the Armed Forces said they will win both the Best Boxer and Best Gym awards in Season Two.

But Deputy Superintendent  Ebenezer  Quaye of the Ghana Prisons and Assistant Coach of the Black Bombers as well head trainer of the Ghana Prisons boxers, was too confident to declare the Armed Forces Boxing Team as their children and that they are going to be the next champions.

"We have an experienced and solid team who will make boxing fans happy and win" he expressed.

The thrilling competition which is organized by Imax Boxing Promotions will see 14 teams in action from March 11 at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

The supporters and sponsors include Max TV, Max Radio, Max Buy, TCL, Techno, Renault, Guinness, Niche Cocoa and Eddys Pizza.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

USD 7.6 billion record revenue from 2019-2022 has resulted in a unprecedented investment in football

Slot allocation unanimously decided for FIFA Club World Cup 2025

FIFA World Cup 2026™ hosts to qualify automatically for the final competition

The FIFA Council has approved the Annual Report 2022 , which highlights FIFA’s record‑breaking revenue of USD 7.6 billion during the 2019‑2022 cycle and the USD 11 billion that is expected to be earned during the 2023‑2026 period.

“FIFA’s unprecedented investment in football is the result of our solid financial transparency and stands as a concrete example of how we are aiming to make football truly global,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “The resounding success of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar has been key to the organisation’s ability to fulfil its mission in relation to our member associations and the world of football, despite the multiple challenges we faced during the past cycle, not least the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Update on future competitions

Following the decision taken by the FIFA Council in December 2022 to expand the FIFA Club World Cup™ from 24 to 32 teams, with the first such edition set to take place in June-July 2025, the Council unanimously approved the respective slot allocation. The decision was taken based on a set of objective metrics and criteria, and the resulting allocation is as follows: AFC: 4, CAF: 4, Concacaf: 4, CONMEBOL: 6, OFC: 1, UEFA: 12 and tournament host: 1.

In relation to the FIFA Club World Cup 2023™, which is due to be played under the current format with seven clubs, the FIFA Council unanimously appointed the Saudi Arabian Football Federation as tournament hosts from 12 to 22 December 2023.

In addition, the FIFA Council confirmed that, in line with the long‑standing tradition of having all hosts competing at the FIFA World Cup™, as well as sporting and operational considerations, the hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, namely Canada, Mexico and the USA, will qualify automatically for the final round of the competition, with their slots therefore being deducted from the overall allocation of six assigned to Concacaf. Details will follow in due course regarding the preliminary competitions in all confederations for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The FIFA Council were also updated on the appointment of the following tournaments by the FIFA Congress as per the following dates: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ in Q2 2024 (with bid regulations for approval in March 2023), FIFA World Cup 2030™ in Q3 2024 (with bid regulations for approval in June 2023) and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2031™ in Q2 2025 (with bid regulations for approval in Q2 2024).

73rd FIFA Congress

The FIFA Council was updated on preparations for the 73rd FIFA Congress, which will take place on Thursday, 16 March 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda, the agenda for which will be published in due course.

FIFA

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to earn a combined salary of CHF3.6 million for 2022 ©Getty Images

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to earn a combined salary of CHF3.6 million (£3.2 million/$3.9 million/€3.6 million) for 2022.

As per the governing body's 2022 Annual Report, the Swiss official will receive a gross salary (base) of CHF1.9 million (£1.7 million/$2.05 million/€1.9 million).

The 52-year-old is set to be paid a gross salary (variable) of CHF1.6 million (£1.4 million/$1.7 million/€1.6) and a flat-rate allowance of CHF24,000 (£21,589/$26,031/€24299).

However, it has to be mentioned that the gross salary (variable) awarded in 2022 will be paid in 2023.

In comparison with the last World Cup year in 2018, Infantino's gross salary (variable) has increased by more than $1 million.

After Russia 2018, the FIFA boss received a gross salary (variable) of $555,000 (£460,650/€518,580).

Meanwhile, the global football governing body's secretary general Fatma Samoura is set to pocket CHF1.3 million (£1.1 million/$1.4 million/€1.3 million) as gross salary (base), CHF600,000 (£539,250/$649,424/€607,042) as gross salary (variable) and CHF24,000 as part of flat-rate allowance.

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura is set to pocket CHF1.3 million as gross salary (base) ©Getty Images

Samoura's variable salary when the World Cup was held in Russia four years ago was $195,000 (£162,390/€182,375).

FIFA also published the salaries of Council members and management, who will be getting a total of $31.9 million (£26.5 million/€29.8 million), including pension contributions.

The FIFA Council senior vice-president and vice-presidents, including confederation Presidents, each receive a net annual compensation of $300,000 (£249,426/€280,959) and a daily allowance of $250 (£207/€233) while on duty.

The FIFA Annual Report 2022 published yesterday (February 14) claims a record-breaking revenue of $7.6 billion (£6.3 billion/€7.1 billion) during the 2019-2022 cycle and expects $11 billion (£9.1 billion/€10.2 billion) for the 2023-

By Vimal Sankar 

The Aburi Botanical Gardens will be thrilling and full of action, excitement and bragging rights when the first ever well organized Inter Schools and Colleges Cadets Tug of War competition takes place on Saturday 18th February.

Schools from the Eastern Region are lucky to be chosen as the premier contestants. The event will feature both male and female teams.

The Ghana Tug of War Association who have sanctioned the event wishes to informed that, Sunday 19th February marks International Tug Of War Day, which is celebrated globally, and they want to celebrate with the world.

President of the Ghana Tug of War Association, Mr. Emmanuel Olla Williams said as part of the celebration and preparation towards the 9th African Tug of War Championship in South Africa, Kembely, the Eastern Regional Tug of War Association in collaboration with National is organizing Justification And Selection Championship at Aburi Gardens on Saturday 18th February from 8am to 2pm.

A Local Organising Committee (LOC) has been formed to ensure a successful event.

They include Madam Ires, Chairperson Sir Ebo, Dep. Chairperson Sir Baani, Member, P E Cor (Aburi) member, Sir Kofi Member, Madam SABINA.member, Sir Sparkles, Member

They are supposed to work closely with the Regional and National executives for a successful program

Miss Sarah Awini, Secretary of GHATOWA said the Federation want to make Tug of War in Ghana attractive to meet international standards.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana's Mercy Amorkor Tagoe aka Sabato has won best football player in India after qualifying her club, Celtic Queens to the Indian Women's League (IWL).

The exciting utility player who was playing defense in Ghana has moved to forward positions and features as a playmaker or winger for her new club.

She told Yours Truly in an exclusive telephone interview that she hopes to take Celtic Queens to great heights after her achievement of qualifying them to the India Woman’s League.

The new season will start on 15th April 2022 to 2023, and after she has played only three matches and scoring 7 goals and 2 assists which earned her the best player, she hopes to do more to project herself and her country.

Though her shirt number is 35, she plays as very deep and loves to attack to struck goals.

Although she is not part of the Black Queens, the National Female team, she has wished them all the best and good luck so that they qualify in their assignments and put Ghana among the best in the world.

She went on trials in Dubai UAE, before playing for Simba Queens in Tanzania, Current she wants to make a mark with new club, Celtic Queens India. She is a former player of Lady-Strikers F/C in Ghana.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Minister of Youth and Sports of Ghana, Hon. Mustapha Ussif has commended everyone who contributed or supported in diverse ways to make the first season the Ghana Professional Boxing League successful.

Before declaring the second season duly launched at the Mudor Conference Hall of the Trust Sports Emporium, he announced his new role as an ‘Ambassador for Ghana Boxing’.

He appealed to corporate institutions to sponsor and support boxing because it has earned the nation 10 world champions like D. K. Poison, Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, late Alfred Kotey, Nana Yaw Konadu, Joshua Clottey, Joseph Agbeko, Richard Commey, Emmanuel Tagoe and Isaac Dogboe who is in contention for a second world title on April 1st

He congratulated the Best Boxer at the season one of the Boxing League, 18 years old Charles Tetteh of the Panix Gym and coach Charles Quartey of the Charles Quartey Memorial Boxing Gym which was adjudged the Best Gym.

President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), Mr. Abraham Neequaye promised that the next edition would be better and very competitive with the inclusion of the Ghana Armed Forces and Ghana Prisons teams to make the participating teams 14.

He said all the challenges encountered would be solved, and the contestants are going to enjoy other opportunities.

Group Director of Imax Boxing Promotions, Alhaji Fadi Fattal hinted that over $1.7 million has been invested to support Ghana Boxing. He thanked the fans and also appealed for companies to come on board to make the league better. He assured that the musicians and juvenile boxers will feature as side attraction.

Representative of Premium Motors who donated two Renault cars in season one promised surprises for the season two winners.

Mr. Akuette Addy, an international official of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation Administrator at The Gym Boxing Club and a former boxing coach who chaired the launch hoped that security arrangements would be improved with the addition of the security teams.

Coach Ofori Asare, President of the United Coaches Association urged all clubs to be competitive and come out with quality boxers to thrill the fans.

In attendance was the Ghana Boxing Supporters Union (GHABSU) led by Veep, Sam Gyan to entertain guests with Kpanlogo Music.

The second edition of the Ghana Professional Boxing League starts on Saturday March 11, 2023 at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah has revealed that towards a comprehensive improvement of the various arms of the Ghana Olympic family,  *Support For National Federations (NF's) and Athletes* continues to receive timely boosts.

On Wednesday, some outstanding Athletes received their Olympic Scholarship at the Olympic House in Accra.

10 National Team Athletes have been awarded *IOC Scholarships* which will see each of them receiving an amount of $750.00 every month from January 2023 to the end of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Steps are also far advanced to secure ANOCA Scholarship for additional 5 athletes from Ghana.

According to Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, due to delays in the submission of various reports to the IOC, requests for funding, support, grant and scholarships for our various Athletes and Federations  delays, but he confidently reported at the Congress that the GOC has secured support and grants for some National Federations and Athletes.

“This money is not for your personal use or for you to buy the latest phones and dresses. It is meant to support your training and activities towards your qualification to the Olympic Games in Paris come 2024.

“As you have already been told, at the end of every quarter, your progress and expenditure would be evaluated and whoever is not able to make accounts of the money given would be withdrawn from the scholarship,” he said.

The  Ghanaian athletes who received the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Funding and Scholarships include Swimmers, Abeiku Jackson and Adjoa Forson, Boxers Abraham Mensah, Wahid Omar and Joseph Commey.

Others are Judoka Rashid Alhassan, Weightlifting: Sandra Owusu and Winifred  Ntumi.

Top Athletes, Deborah Acquah and Benjamin Azamati will also benefit the 750 dollars a month from the IOC funding and scholarship.

GOC Administrative Manager, Miss Farida Iddris revealed the criteria in selecting the athletes as a consistent national athlete, good behavior and exhibit performance among others.

She advised them to use the funds judiciously and as expected by the GOC and IOC.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Fencing Association will host 20 African countries for the Cadet and Junior Africa Fencing Championship 2023 from the 14th to the 21st of February at the Trust Sports Emporium in Accra.

According to the President of the Ghana Fencing Association, Mr. Mohammed Mahadi, preparations have reach an advanced stage and every thing is set for the Championship which is coming to Ghana for the first time.

He urge the youth and kids to be at the Sports Emporium to see the sport and have the interest as there are so many opportunities in sports.

Mr. Mahadi who is also second Vice President of the Ghana Olympic Committee says the Ghana team have been in camp for a while and will be explosive at the Championship.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Following the devastating earthquake that recently hit Türkiye and Syria, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the European Olympic Committees (EOC) and the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) will donate a total of USD one million to help the Olympic community in the areas affected by the natural disaster. The IOC and OCA will each give USD 250,000, EOC will give EUR 250,000, while the ORF will make available an additional amount of USD 260,000 for immediate emergency assistance to the local population and refugees in Türkiye.

“It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the tragic loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake that has struck the south-eastern region of Türkiye and Syria. I have spoken to the NOC President of Türkiye and the NOC President of Syria, and have heard from them about the impact the earthquake has had on many members of the Olympic community. Unfortunately there are a number of athletes and members of the Olympic community among the victims, while many others have lost their homes and sports infrastructure has been heavily damaged,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.

“We discussed how best to support the members of the Olympic community. As a result of the conversations, we have agreed with the OCA, the EOC and the ORF to take immediate action,” the IOC President added. “Our first-response emergency assistance in Türkiye will channelled through the Olympic Refuge Foundation and their partners on site. In Syria, we will work with international NGOs and UN agencies that are able to access the affected areas. We have learnt that the biggest need at the moment is for food, medicine and tents.”

The Olympic Refuge Foundation has immediately released funds from the first-year funding of its Sport for Solidarity programme , one of its biggest programmes currently running in Türkiye. Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (ASAM), the UNHCR and the Turkish Olympic Committee, the Sport for Solidarity programme uses sport to help young refugees and asylum seekers feel safe and protected, while building links with their local communities. It is being delivered in seven of the most densely populated cities in Türkiye, including the areas most affected by the earthquake (Mersin, Sanliurfa and Adana), where a large Syrian refugee population is also present. In consideration of the devastating impact on them, their families and the host community, the ORF contribution, originally planned to support the programme, will now be used for humanitarian assistance, such as providing clothes, blankets, food and shelter.

The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit, civil, non-governmental, international organisation made up of volunteers which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of USD 4.2 million goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.

IOC

The Sports Media is respectfully invited to the official launching of Ghana Professional Boxing League season 2 by the Promoter, Imax Media Promotions and supported by Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon.Mustapha Ussif is the special guest of honor and expected to officially launch the much anticipated season 2 of the Ghana Professional Boxing.

Representatives from the National Sports Authority (NSA), members of the boxing fraternity in Ghana and Ghana Boxing Supporters Union are expected to grace the organization.

With this notification, your media outlet is kindly requested to help transmit the information to your cherished audiences about the upcoming event on Wednesday February 15.

Venue: Mudor Conference Hall, Trust Sports Emporium

Date: Wednesday, 15th February,2023

Time: 2pm

Your presence is very much anticipated

GBA COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE