Edwin Appiah Kubi defeated Kelvin Attipoe by a score of 2-1 to emerge winner of the 2023 Wogbejeke Pillow Fighting Championship at Chorkor on Saturday, January 7th, 2023.

He beat other amazing opponents before reaching the final and he promised to train hard to become a zonal, regional and national champion to represent Ghana at the international level.

The event which pulled people from all walks of life to the Tea Garden T Junction at Chorkor was is  initiative of Dreamland Sports Plus and One On One Foundation in collaboration with the organizers of the Wogbejeke Arts and Entertainment Festival as well as traditional and political leaders.

The Pillow Fighters Champions on the day may be lucky to represent Ghana at international tournaments as other communities get ready to taste the sport and compete in a league coming up soon.

The Pillow Fighters who made history at Chorkor include Michael Olass, Kelvin Atippoe, Promise Sackey, Joseph Quarcoopome, Jessy Quarcoopome, Edwin Appiah, Abraham Kotey and Richard Armah.

The female fighters who kept the spectators cheering were Winnifred Abbey, Ruth Ekow, Hennrieta Mensah and Rita Sackey. All the participants were rewarded with gifts and products from the sponsors.

Winfred Abbey proved too strong for Henrietta Mensah to win the female category. She took home an undisclosed cash prize.

There were some juvenile boxing bouts to spice the show and everyone did well including the referees and judges, time keeper, card girls and master of the ceremony.

Mr. Charles Oteng Acquah, events coordinator of Dreamland Sports Plus applauded the performers and urged them to train hard to become champions in subsequent tournaments coming up.

Assemblyman for Chorkor, Hon. Theophilus Quaye said his community has embraced Pillow Fighting and they will set up a gym to specially train pillow fighters as he foresees the sport as another income generating venture.

The event attracted other Assemblymen from Mamprobi as well as the Chairman of the Sub Metro.

Mr. Emmanuel Olla Williams, President of the Ghana Pillow Fighting Championship commended the people of Chorkor for displaying discipline and good behavior during the program. He hinted that the next place to host Pillow Fighting Championship may be Accra Central (Ga Mashie), Mamprobi or Kaneshie

Mr. Joseph Dess Mens, CEO of Wogbejeke also thanked all who supported and contributed to make the event successful.

Good Day Energy Drink and 8pm Whisky supported the baby sport which is gradually becoming a crowd pulling discipline.

Pillow Fighting Championship in Ghana is approved and sanctioned by Mr. Steve Williams, the American founder and President of World Pillow Fighting Championship.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Founded ten years ago, the Hewale Ensemble has been one of the best exponents of the most tantalizing cultural, traditional and folklore music in Ghana.

What makes them special is the quality of sound that they dish out, so their events and programs are always over subscribed and well attended.

According to the founder, leader and master drummer, Mr. Emmanuel Botchwey, they believe in producing the best and always play what people want, either to dance with or meditate on.

The experienced percussionist said using traditional instruments and a few modern instruments make the music sound excellent, but the one who plays can make it better or best, and that is what they do to make people dance.

"We don't just play music, we love what we have been doing over the years because we put in everything, our spirit and minds are part of our music and we  play not only for the ears or dance, but to uplift people who are down, to rise and contribute to the socio economy and other sectors of life " he expressed.

According to him, Hewale means strength, so they play to give people power and that inspiration can raise people to become better in life, because the words they sing are also sources of motivation.

He added that they also love to teach others how to play and dance in the various workshops and seminars that they organize in different places.

Mr. Emmanuel Botchwey said Hewale Ensemble has contributed to the lives of so many people and they continue to do so, because music has the power to heal and satisfy.

The whole group is very large, comprising about 15 artistes who are masters of different instruments, but depending on the show or event, they go with sizes as four of them can perform to the admiration of people.

Music has taken Hewale Ensemble to many places and they have met and played for different classes of people at big and ordinary venues.

Their next big project is to conduct workshops in the United States of America which they are preparing towards.

Henrietta Turkson is the only female in the group who thrills with her voice and dance moves. She is really blessed with talent and can make unexpected things happen with music.

The maracas and gome players , Bernard Gyamfi and Albert Dankyi also know their skills and are ready to make it happen at any occasion. They are also multi talented and can play other instruments.

Hewale Ensemble are music and entertainment envoys, always portraying the African and Ghanaian image in fashion, dance, tunes and lyrics.

Miss Turkson says they are always in high demand because they never fail to give quality entertainment and joy to the world.

"We enjoy what we do, so we give out our best in our shows, also when we are teaching, we start from fundamentals or basics and make sure our students know and can also perform very well" she disclosed.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Football Association is set to be boosted by a whooping amount of $5 million from the FIFA FORWARD programme in 2023.

The mount could go up if the federation is able to convince FIFA With their plans and projects for the development of the sport in the West African nation.

The FIFA FORWARD programme is in line with the president, Gianni Infantino's vision of increasing competitiveness of the game across the globe.

“When we launched the FORWARD development programme, FIFA embarked upon a new era of global football development that is now heading into its third cycle”, said Infantino. “It is vital that we are now strengthening our commitment to building a stronger foundation for the growth of football.

“The new cycle will provide increased investment, greater impact through the achievement of football development objectives and continued oversight to ensure that all funds are used responsibly”, Mr Infantino continued. “We have increased this funding seven-fold but our revenues are not increased seven-fold; just that at the new FIFA since 2016 money goes where it has to go and that is back into football.”

The latest four-year cycle of the FIFA FORWARD programme will see the following activities undertaken:

Up to USD 5 million for each member association to cover its operational costs in relation to football activities.

USD 3 million for each member association to execute well-planned, specific football projects that contribute to the achievement of long-term football development objectives.

For member associations that are identified as needing the most assistance, up to USD 1.2 million each to cover the costs of travel and accommodation for their national teams as well as football equipment.

USD 60 million for each confederation to develop, promote and organise football within the regions of its member associations.

Up to USD 5 million for each zonal/regional association to organise regional football competitions for men, women and youth.

The Ghana Boxing Authority, GBA, has instructed the attachment of the 40 individuals recently trained in basic referee/judge course to some selected boxing gyms.

The move according to the GBA president, Abraham Kotei Neequaye, is part of effort to accelerate the and improve the skills of the new ring officials.

GBA New Referee/Judges Trainees Practical Attachment

The new referee/judges have therefore been divided into three groups and attached to the Charles Quartey Boxing Foundation, Attoh Quarshie Boxing Gymnasium and Wisdom Boxing Gymnasiums for two months.

The referee/judges are to be present at the training sessions of the three boxing gyms every Thursday and Friday within the two months period for their practical sessions.

GBA New Referee/Judges Trainees Practical Attachment

They are to report to the head coaches of the selected gyms for their training schedules and other details.

below are the various groups, gyms and contact information of head trainers of the gymnasium

Group A

Charles Quartey Boxing Foundation

Head Coach: Charles Quartey

Contact: 054 046 0607

1. William Annan
2. John Abeka Coffie
3. Michael Addoagyei-Faakyei

4.Portia Oppong

5.David Nii Addy

6. Samir Ahmed Arthur
7. Adams Amartei Amarteifio
8. Barnor Sackey Ransford
9. Victor Ainsley Davis
10. Richard Quartey

Group B

Attoh Quarshie Boxing Gymnasium

Head Trainer: Vincent Akai Nettey

Contact: 0243 906 932

1. Sulley Issah
2. Edward Michael Effah
3. Amos Ashalley-Sawyer
4. Korley Korlison
5. Ellis Kofi Attipoe
6. Danel Ablometi
7. Richard Ghartey
8. David Nettey
9. Edmund Boye

Group C

Wisdom Boxing Gymnasium

Head Trainer: Dr Ofori Asare

Contact: 0244 464 941

1. Tanko Addotey Brown
2. Simon Annan

3.Hamidu Mumuni

4. Sammy Heywood Okine
5. Nicholas Nii Noi Narh
6. Nii Kporti Nartey
7. James Nii Addo Quaynor
8. Seth Aryeetey
9. Nathaniel Kotey

Source GBA

The sudden death of Mrs. Salomey Akushia Acquaye, wife of Mr. Shadrach Kpakpo Acquaye (Atofotse Of Akwei-Bu ) which sad event occurred on Tuesday 3rd January 2023 at The Mamprobi Polyclinic has been reported. Funeral arrangements will be announce later.

Mr. Shadrach Kpakpo Acquaye who is a Divisional Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service is also the Technical Director of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) and an experienced boxing referee. He has been an official in boxing for over 30 years.

May Her Soul Rest In Perfect Peace.

From Shadrach Kpakpo Acquaye

The much awaited Pillow Fighting Championship at Chorkor comes up on Saturday, January 7th, 2023 at the Alomo Junction.

According to the organisers, Dreamland Sports Plus who are staging the event in collaboration with traditional and political leaders in the Ablekuma South Constituency, and Chorkor authorities, there would be lots of entertainment to spice the pillow fights, like boxing, dancing, musicians to exhibit their skills and talent, modeling and others.

Mr. Emmanuel Olla Williams, President of the Ghana Pillow Fighting Championship said every thing is set and they hope to entertain and educate the people of Chorkor that there are many sports that people should get involved in.

He said Good Day Energy Drink will refresh guests and winners. He named the officials for the event as very experienced and fair in their trade.

The Chief Judge is S. B Macauley, Judges for the male bouts are Samuel Patterson, Patrick Johnson and Bernard Abbey Quaye and George Williams.

Judges for the female bouts are Ayisha Adamu Williams, Sarah Awini and Juliana Kwaning.

Referees for the male bouts are Fred Danso, Edmund Quansah, Charles Oteng Acquah, Joshua Nii Okaikoi Tagoe, Ebenezer Kofi Ofosu

The ring announcer are William Ayiku Ocansey, Charity Oteng Darkwa and Enoch Sackey. Precious Williams is the card girl.

Commentators are Vincent Baffour Awuah,, Sabina Angaaga and David Odamtten.

The invited guests include Henry Nii Sackey – Head of Technical – Sport, University of Ghana, Hon. Myersaka Show man, Hon. Theophilus Quaye ,Maria Naa Afi Mawuniwo UK, Adiza Issah UK and Hon. Okoe Vanderpuije, MP for Ablekuma South and Hon.Jerry Ahmed Shaib, CEO OF the Coastal Development Agency, CODA.

Pillow Fighting is becoming one of the fastest growing sports in the USA, Canada and Europe. Ghana is leading the game in Africa.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Former world champion Isaac ‘the Royal Storm’ Dogboe has expressed appreciation for the honour bestowed upon him by both Boxing Ghana and boxing fans.

Dogboe, whose accomplishments has been set in stone as former world champion and a potential two timer with a victory against Joet Gonzalez, thanked Boxing Ghana for the honour done him ” Thank you guys [BoxingGhana] for the honour.” He wrote.

The face of  NICHE Confectionery Ghana Limited, manufacturers of niche cocoa, was grateful that fans and stakeholders alike recognized his continuous contributions to the sport of boxing.

In a very competitive group which included Sena Agbeko and George Ashie, the pride of Volta, won massively in terms of the vote casted.

This is the maiden edition of the boxing Ghana Awards which is set to be staged annually on December 26.

Chief executive officer of Boxing Ghana Mr. Samuel Ofosuhene, praised all the awardees and encouraged them to be a good Ambassadors of the scheme.

En-route to this great feat, Dogboe won the WBO International feather weight title against Joet Gonzalez and is now in Contention for a second world title shot.

Other notable winners were Joseph Commey of the Black Bombers fame, who won Ghana a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. He emerged as the Amateur Boxer of the year.

Mohammed Ablorh beat the sensational Prince Larbi aka the ‘Buzz’ to win the Juvenile boxer of the year.

Experienced Sammy Heywood Okine beat Ben Neequaye, Sam Nana Gold, Prince Dornu-Leiku and Dennis Moore to emerge as Best Boxing Writer of the year.

Coach of the year went to Charles Quartey, while Sarah Lotus Asare was named in the Special award category.

Watch the space for more updates.

Source BoxinGhana

Friday 6thJanuary, 2023

Olympic House,

Accra.

The President

Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Commonwealth Games Association (CGA)

*Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah*

The Grace of God has once again made it possible for me to bring you greetings as we stride through the gates of a new beginning in 2023.

A new year offers all of us that unique opportunity to evaluate,  consolidate and, if necessary, start afresh in order to attain our set goals and targets for the next 12 months and beyond.

My mantra for this season is "Thank You and Let's Do More"

On behalf of the Executive Board, Management and the astute officers of the GOC/CGA, I wish to thank everybody who, in diverse ways, helped to make our organization better than it was a year ago.

Thus, we seek to yet again make it even better.

As a firm believer in acknowledgement and appreciation of effort, it is prudent to give thanks to all who were instrumental in the  successes chalked in our last two major international games.

It is my prayer that we continue to work closer together to ensure that our youth will be able to realize and live their dreams to the fullest.

I cannot thank His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo enough for his consistent personal interest in our athletes. My visits to the Jubilee House were always extremely fruitful whether to seek his blessings ahead of a major international assignment or to present a triumphant athlete.

Sports is undoubtedly a passion that is so dear to our hearts and to ensure that the future remains bright, it is my duty as your servant to help ignite the flames of hope through the power of all-inclusive Sports.

Apart from taking stock of the just ended year, this new dawn offers us a fresh opportunity as a family to look ahead to the future of sports in Ghana with renewed hope and a determination to bring joy to the people.

The year ended on a good note for Swimming as Miss Farida Iddriss got a seat on the international swimming body FINA (World Aquatics) Bureau for the next three years.

In early December 2022, Farida was nominated and approved at the FINA Extraordinary congress in Melbourne, Australia. Congratulations.

There are already positive signs ahead, following our Annual General Assembly (AGM) which was held on Saturday 17th December, 2022 at the SSNIT Emporium in Accra.

We welcomed our new 1st Vice President, the exceptional President of Ghana Table Tennis Mr Mawuko Afadzinu who stepped into the stead of our departed brother Paul Atchoe; a great administrator and Ambassador of Sports to the very end.

The GOC, Ghana and Africa volleyball, as well as his associates, sporting fraternity and family will sorely miss him.

May the soul of Paul Atchoe and the souls of all who departed in 2022  continue to rest in peace.

Our competent Sports Administrators are making inroads and advancing the developmental agenda of their various federations at an admirable pace.

We at the GOC/CGA, could not have seen out the year without the unyielding backing of the Honourable Minister for Youth & Sports Hon Mustapha Ussif, the Director General of the NSA and Members of the Ghana Olympic Committee/ Commonwealth Games Association.

The support from all and sundry must be acknowledged including representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) and the National Sports Authority (NSA), National Sports Federation Heads, Media, Sponsors and our numerous Partners.

The current administration was elected and sworn into office on 15th March, 2021 and like any normal human institution, we have had our share of  ups and downs, but with significant achievements greatly overshadowing the few institutional challenges we have faced.

The most notable being our performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Japan. And here, I wish to thank the Honorable Mustapha Ussif the hardworking Minister responsible for Sports and the Youth.

It heart warming to note that the Hon Sports Minister ensured that our athletes and delegations  got all the necessary support they needed especially at the back of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He accompanied the team to Tokyo and was always on hand to motivate the athletes when needed.

Our heartfelt gratitude also goes to H.E. Frank Okyere, Ghana’s Ambassador to Japan, for arranging our pre-games camping and ensuring that the team, at every step of the way, had a father in him.

How can we forget also say a big thank you to the Mayor and people of Inawashiro for their wonderful support during our stay in Inawashiro and during the games.

A big thank you to our sponsors Ashfoam Ghana Limited, Twellium Industries Limited, Toyota Ghana and Cocoa From Ghana.

Ghana’s participation at the *Commonwealth Games- Birmingham 2022* was a huge improvement on the last games in Gold Coast, Australia, where Team Ghana won only one bronze medal.

This time around, our boys and girls brought home 5 medals and reached as many as 9 potential medal positions.

These were made up of 2 Silver and 1 Bronze from Boxing, with an additional 2 Bronze medals from Athletics.

We are all so proud of our boxers,  Joseph Commey, Abraham Mensah and Wahid Omar just as we are with our Track & Field Stars Deborah Acquah and Joseph Paul Amoah.

Our sincere gratitude must go to our Deputy Minister for Youth & Sports Hon. Evans Opoku Bobie, all coaches and Team Ghana official who contributed to that success story in the United Kingdom.

I must add that the Team Ghana is still awaiting a visit to the Presidency to officially present their medals to H.E. the President.

As far as *Marketing & Sponsorship* is concerned, thanks to the irrepressible attitude and ingenuity of our team who tirelessly sought for support to aid our various national assignments. God richly bless you all.

There is exciting news with respect to the *Amasaman Project.*

The GOC, having now acquired full and legal ownership of the 16.5 acre land at Amasaman, the IOC, ANOCA and the OlympAfrica Foundation, at the beginning of November 2022, showed their commitment to restart and get the project going by sending an amount of $100,000.00 to the GOC account for the commencement of the project.

The Board has put together a five-member committee chaired by the Deputy Treasurer of the GOC to see to the initial actualization and progress of the entire Stadium Project.

The facility has been christened “GOC/OlympAfrica Centre for Juvenile Sports Excellence” and in the next few days, other members, stakeholders and the media will be invited for the grand sod-cutting ceremony.

Through engagements, the GOC/CGA, together with the National Federations and other Stakeholders, are making frantic preparations to put in place structures and  that will ensure Ghana’s successful preparation for, and participation in upcoming games:

ANOCA Zone Three Games - Accra, African Youth Games – Congo Brazzaville, African Beach Games – Tunisia, ANOC World Beach Games – Bali, Indonesia, African Games – Accra 2023, Commonwealth Youth Games – Trinidad & Tobago. and Paris 2024 Olympic Games – Paris.

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.

Due to some delays in the submission of various reports to the IOC, our request for funding, support, grant and scholarships for our various Athletes and Federations was slightly delayed, but I can confidently report that the GOC has secured the following support and grants for our National Federations and Athletes:

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 Olympic Games in Paris.

Steps are also far advanced to secure ANOCA Scholarship for additional 5 athletes from Ghana.

A continental Athlete Support grant of $100,000.00 spread over 2022, 2023 and 2024 has also been approved for Ghana and the first tranche of $40,000.00 for 2022 has been allocated to Judo, Swimming, Golf, Weightlifting and Handball. We will continue to work for more

The second tranche in 2023 will be allocated to Fencing, Athletics and two other Federations who may have activities in 2023 and apply  accordingly

The 2023 tranche will go to Basketball, Triathlon and Badminton, while that of 2024 will be given to federations who will apply and have not yet accessed any earlier funding.

The Youth Team of the Ghana Baseball and Softball Federation was also supported by the GOC to secure funds under the YAD-option-3 funding.

The GOC  on submission of its various reports to the IOC, has secured approval for the release of funds for key projects and assignments.

I also wish to say thank the Treasurer, the Deputy Treasurer, Chairmen of the Finance and Olympic solidarity sub-committees and the Administrative Manager for the invaluable inputs to make this possible.

I believe they have forgiven me for the seemingly unbearable pressure I had to put them through...all for the sake of our National Federations and for us all.

It is my prayer that we continue to work closer together to ensure that our youth will be able to realize and live their beautiful dreams.

Last but not the least, Ayekoo to the Media; our very own Communications Team and the wider valued partners, without whom much of what we do cannot be shared and explained to millions of Ghanaians who do not have first hand information or access to the workings of the GOC.

My doors are always open especially to construction criticism and matured dialogue.

A new dawn has arrived and the future is even brighter for Ghana youth; bringing renewed hope for all through the Power of Sports.

God bless us all and God bless our motherland Ghana.

Thank you.

Local mining firm, Adamus Resource Limited, will co-headline the 47th edition of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards Night.

The event is scheduled to take place at the Accra International Conference Center on Saturday, January 10. 2023.

At the brief ceremony to announce the partnership, Adamus, who won the Best Community Outreach Project Award at the Ghana Mining Week 2022, agreed to share the headline sponsor title with telecommunication giants, MTN.

The event was witnessed by SWAG President Kwabena Yeboah together with Secretary General Charles Osei Asibey and Administrator Kenneth Odeng Adade while Adamus was represented by its CEO, Madam Angela List, Ms Rebecca Donkor a director and Finance and Administration Mr Joe Owusu Ansah.

Mrs. Angela List, the CEO of Nguvu Holdings Limited – the parent company of Adamus Resources Limited, said her company had been involved in sports and mentioned that they supported golf, Division One club, Nzema Kotoko and now SWAG.

She was of the believe that her outfit’s new partnership would offer numerous benefits to all parties.

“We at Adamus Resources believe that sports is very important to society as it boosts our health and provides a sense of community in people. We all saw how our nation united around our Black Stars during the World Cup. We are grateful to SWAG for giving us the opportunity to be part,” she told the media.

“We’ve agreed to support SWAG and we have engaged the leadership of the body. We were actually supposed to do this last year, but thankfully we are here today to firm up our agreement. Adamus is officially part of the 47th SWAG Awards,” she added.

SWAG President, Kwabena Yeboah thanked Adamus for coming on board to support the occasion and assured them of an eventful night.

He said SWAG Awards was the longest running award event in the country and that sportsmen and women always looked up to the night as that was the only time their dedication and efforts were acknowledged.

40 personalities together with sports administrators and institutions in 29 different categories would be rewarded for excellence in the year under review (2022).

NewsGhana

LAUSANNE, January 2, 2023 - Pelé, whose full name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, will be buried at the Memorial Necropole Ecumenical, a vertical cemetery in Santos with only his family present, after a public farewell ceremony where dignitaries and fans gather to pay "The King" last respects today, 2 January 2023, at the “Urbano Caldera” Stadium in Santos Municipality, São Paulo, Brazil, where Pelé played some of the best matches of his career.

The coffin that will carry Pelé's body will be placed in the middle of the Stadium and was moved early hours of Monday morning so that the fans can take a last look at the football legend. The farewell started at 10:00am Brazil time and will last for 24 hours, the burial will be the next morning, according to info from Brazilian press.

Pelé has passed away last Thursday, at the age of 82, after battling a long illness. His death was announced by his agent, Joe Fraga.

Line of fans waiting in line to pay homage to the legend, with the tent in mid-stadium where Pelé's remains are placed.

9TH FLOOR Pelé's final abode will be on the 9th floor of Necropole Ecumenical Memorial Cemetery so he can 'see' Santos football stadium which made him legendary, this unique vertical cemetery is a 14-story building in Santos, Brazil with 14.000 vaults, a waterfalls and a car museum building also contains a chapel, lagoon, peacock garden, waterfalls, an aviary full of parrots and toucans and even a small restaurant.. Pelé spent a lot of time selecting his final ‘burial’ spot, his final wish was to be buried in his beloved hometown, Santos. He chose floor 9 to pay homage to his dear dad who always wore the Number 9 shirt as a player. From where Pelé's coffin will lay forever you could clearly see the iconic Santos stadium less than half a mile away. His devoted fans believe that Pelé will always be able to “see” his favourite football pitch for eternity.

The final resting place for Pelé on the 9th floor of the Memorial Necropole Ecumenical cemetery in Santos, São Paulo. The tallest vertical cemetery awarded by the Guinness World record since 1991 with 14 floors.

ETERNO The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) has raised a huge poster of Pelé on its headquarters building in Rio de Janeiro, with the message 'Eterno', Portuguese for 'Eternal' written above it. (watch video below)

THE KING Pelé, throughout his career, from 1956 to 1974 has scored more than 1279 goals, he scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches and is the only three-time World Champion, winning titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He became one of the most commanding sports figures of the 20th century. In 1999, he was named Athlete of the Century by both the IOC and FIFA.

His 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which includes friendlies, are recognised as a Guinness World Record. Pelé began playing for Santos at age 15 and the Brazil national team at 16. He was nicknamed O Rei (The King) following the 1958 World Cup.

AIPS