Former WBO Africa super welterweight champion, Patrick Allotey (40  - 4 - 0) will be in the ring to box against Victus Kemavor (15 - 3 - 0) at the Idrowhyt Events Centre (Dansoman) on Boxing Day, December 26.

Allotey also called ‘Arrow’ says he has not been himself since he had a problem at the Accra Sports Stadium with a football fan and promised to use the occasion to thrill special guests and patrons.

He added that the Covid-19 pandemic affected boxing in a big way, so he is glad that after 9 months the game is coming back in Ghana.

He thanked managers of Cabic Promotions, Messrs Ivan Bruce Cudjoe and Ellis Quaye for their support, encouragement and motivation.

He also thanked the media, those who love him and those who hate him, but hoped to return to the world stage to have another crack at the world title.

He promised to put up a good show on the bill dubbed ‘Boxing Day Rumble’.

His last fight was on 14^th September, 2019 when he lost the world title opportunity against the tough champion Jaime Munguia at the Dignity Health Sports Park , Carson, USA for the World Boxing Organisation World Super Welter Title.

Other boxers on the bill are Emmanuel Quaye, Yusif Seidu and Michael Pappoe.

According to Jingles, marketing manager of Idrowhyt and Cabic, the promotion is strictly by invitation and the main boxing arena will be crowd-free for only media and  and ring officials, with the few guests on the terrace.

Meanwhile, Alex Ntiamoah Boakye of Box Office assured that all Covid-19 tests and protocols will be observed.

The promotion which has been approved by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) is a collaboration between Box Office / Cabic Promotions and sponsored by Idrowhyt Events Centre.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

No good news to report from the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas as Ghana's Habib Ahmed was given a beat down before being stopped in round 2 by Sebastian 'Towering Inferno' Fundora.

The 6-feet-6 Fundora battered Ahmed throughout the first round and again in the second round, until Ahmed’s trainer, Herman Caicedo instructed a Texas commission official to stop their one-sided junior middleweight match. Referee Laurence Cole stepped between them to halt their scheduled 12-rounder at 1:30 of the second round on the Errol Spence Jr.-Danny Garcia undercard.

The 22-year-old Fundora, of Coachella, California, improved to 16-0-1 and recorded his 11th knockout. The 30-year-old Ahmed (27-2-1, 18 KOs, 1 NC), of Accra, Ghana, lost by technical knockout for the second time in nine years as a pro.

From Dornu’s Corner

Korle-Gonno Napoli Beats Mamprobi Happy Mama To Win Hon. Ben Brown Football Gala

Twenty-four (24) local Football teams from three (3) Communities namely, Korle-Gonno, Chorkor and Mamprobi, all in Accra, took part in the 2-week Football  Gala Competition, organised by Hon. Mr. Bernard Nii Anyaa Brown, NPP's MP Aspirant for Ablekuma South Constituency, which ended with Napoli beating Happy Mama at the final at the Bannerman Park at Korle-Gonno.

Korle-Gonno Napoli Fc (i.e. KG-All-Stars), beat Happy-Mama Fc, from Mamprobi on penalties (3-0), to lift the magnificent Trophy and a Cash prize.

Napoli Fc led with an early goal in the first half and dominated the game but Happy-Mama Fc came bach strongly to equalise, two minutes to full-time through a defensive blunder.

Experienced Happy-Mama Fc featuring Ismaila Mills and PaaTee Copson were sure of carrying the day, but shocked fans when they missed the penalties to allow Korle-Gonno Napoli Fc scored all their kicks to lift the trophy.

Former top colts star Bala Mohammed (Skipper), led Napoli FC to victory and received the Trophy which was presented by Collins Asante (Chief), on behalf of Bernard Brown (Shiatsε) the organizer of the event.

By Sammy Heywood Okine / Naa Amerley Commey

Japan will host the Club World Cup in its existing format in late 2021, Fifa president Gianni Infantino announced on Friday, with his expanded version of the tournament still on hold for now after being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It means there will be two Club World Cups in the same year, with Qatar hosting the 2020 edition between 1 and 11 February before another seven-team edition goes ahead in Japan in December.

Japan has hosted the Club World Cup eight times before, most recently in 2016.

A lucrative, revamped 24-team Club World Cup, including eight sides from Europe, was due to be played in China next year, but the expanded competition will not now start until a later date after the delayed Euro 2020 and the Copa America were pencilled in for next June and July.

"Due to the Covid-19 situation, which has led to the postponement of the revamped new Club World Cup...we've decided to organise a Club World Cup in the current format again in 2021 in December and we awarded the hosting rights to Japan," Infantino said following a Fifa Council meeting on Friday.

It means there will be one representative each from Europe, South America, North and Central America, Africa, Asia and Oceania, with the Japanese champions completing the line-up.

Bayern Munich will represent Europe at the February competition in Qatar, where the Germans will be looking to succeed Liverpool, winners of the last Club World Cup in Doha a year ago.

By AFP

Ghanaian midfielder Kwame Bonsu has completed a move to Egyptian Premier League side Ceramica Cleopatra from Tunisian giants Esperance Sportive de Tunis.

Ceramica Cleopatra will play their first ever season in Egypt’s top division and have added a number of high caliber to their ranks such as Mohamed Ibrahim, Mido Gaber, Fonsinho and Ragab Bakar.

They have now completed the signing of yet another highly rated player Kwame Bonsu who completes a tall list of perfect signings.

The former Asante Kotoko playmaker is believed to have signed a three year deal with the newcomers.

The 26-year-old started his professional career in Ghana with Anokye Stars FC before joining Heart of Lions Kpando in 2014.

He then secured a move to Europe with Swedish side FC Rosengard and went on to move around the country where he plied his trade with Mjallby AIF and Gefle IF.

Then after a full season without a club, he returned to Ghana with two-time African champions Asante Kotoko in 2018.

And after two years secured a move to Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis.

During his time in the Tunisian capital, Bonsu has made 29 appearances and managed to win the domestic treble (Tunisian League, Tunisian Cup and Tunisian Super Cup.

FootballmadeinGhana

Ghana Rugby supports social distancing on elections day to fight Covid-19

President and Board Chairman of the Ghana Rugby Football Union, Herbert Mensah has advised Ghanaians to adhere to the Coronavirus preventive measures during the 2020 elections.

Ghana heads to the polls on Monday, December 7, 2020 with about seventeen million registered voters to cast their vote to elect leaders who will steer the affairs of the country for the next four years.

But with Ghana still recording cases of the devastating disease, Herbert Mensah and the Ghana Rugby Football Union have begun campaigning on the need for Ghanaians to practice the Coronavirus preventive measures at the various polling stations.

Speaking in an interview, the former Asante Kotoko chairman stated that the Ghana Rugby Football Union has begun propagating the need for Ghanaians to stay safe on the election day.

“Ghana Rugby is happy to be sponsoring on numerous of courses. With the Covid-19 pandemic still around, we challenged people to keep practicing the best preventive measures. We have spread social distancing, the wearing of masks and the washing of hands”, Mr. Mensah said.

“Ghana Rugby has carried out 300 tests on Coronavirus, some were positive but worked strongly with them to boast their immune system and to get in the right drugs and luckily, they are now negative and Covid-19 free.”

“Throughout the year, we have supported the lockdown challenge and others. We are responsible as sporting organization and on Monday we go to elections, a historical elections and we are supporting again best pratices, we are supporting peace, we are supporting social distancing and people should go out and vote.

Keep a bit of distance between yourself and the person standing in front and after voting go home peacefully, do not try anything that will encourage the spread of Covid-19 or perhaps getting hot tempered and reacting negatively.

Ghana Rugby is happy to be part of this programme to support everybody and to encourage everybody to keep a distance at least two meters”, he added.

About Ghana Rugby

Ghana Rugby is the official full member of both World Rugby (2017) and Rugby Africa in Ghana-West Africa and is responsible for the management and development of the Game Rugby Union in the country.

The Union is governed by a Constitution and administers five KPAs (Key Performance Areas) namely:

(1) Youth Development & Growth through the World Rugby “Get Into Rugby” Programme,

(2) Women in Ghana Rugby,

(3) Training & Education,

(4) Domestic

Competitions and

(5) International Performance.

By Stephen Kwame Yeboah 

Mr. Sammy Heywood Okine, Ag Communications Director of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has pleaded with media houses especially television stations to work closely with promoters to come up with packages to bring back the love in boxing.

Speaking at the Idrowhyt Events Centre to introduce boxers on the next programme by Cabic Promotions he said the media and sports are bedfellows and without the press, sports will not be exciting as the news, previews and reviews will not get far.

He expressed that the media can partner promoters and the GBA to stage quality fights with the support of sponsors.

Sammy Heywood Okine aka General One, who doubles as Communications Director of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) also advised boxers and sportsmen to be extra careful about their health and safety and abide by the Covid-19 protocols.

Mr. Ellis Quaye, a director of Cabic Promotions cautioned the media in publishing news without cross checking their facts and figures, as some of the negative news go a long way to discourage promoters which in the end affect the sport and business of boxing.

On Boxing Day, December 26^th, 2020, Cabic will stage the Boxing Day Rumble at the Idrowhyt Events Centre at Dansoman in Accra. The bill will feature former WBO Africa superwelterweight champion, Patrick Allotey against Victus Kemavor from the Volta Region and other amazing boxers like Emmanuel Quaye, Yusif Seidu, Michael Pappoe and an international surprise.

By Naa Amerley Commey

Joshua Nii Okaikoi Tagoe, a PE teacher won the special Okaikwei Triangular Marathon 2020 over 10 kilometers organised by the Dreamland Sports Plus and One-On-One Foundation to create awareness for a peaceful election in a healthy community on Friday, December 4, 2020.

He was presented with a giant trophy, cash of 1,000ghc and special prizes from the sponsors, Puma Energy Drinks, Parle Biscuits, Cave & Gardens and Ocean Spray.

Emmanuel Dotse and William Anshong, both students placed second and third and took home 700ghc and 500ghc respectively in addition to sponsor’s products.

Mr. Emmanuel Olla Williams who doubles as Youth Coordinator of the Ghana Olympic (GOC) commended the participants and urged them to share the message of peace, unity and love at this elections period.

He also thanked the sponsors for supporting a laudable social and sports programme.

Mr. Rajan Singh, sales and marketing manager of Cave & Gardens also advised the youth against violence due to elections.

Mr. Jonathan Odartey Baddoo, CEO of Base Pharmacy who was a sponsor and special guest appealed to the media to promote health living lifestyle. He said running for peace, unity and fitness is an ideal theme for the programme.

The event which covered Okaikwei North, Central and South Constituencies in the Greater Accra Region started and ended at the Azumah Nelson Sports Complex at Kaneshie.

Ghana goes for General Elections on Monday, December 7, 2020 to elect a President and Members of Parliament.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Badminton Association (BAG) at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last Saturday, has adopted and approved fourteen new proposals into its constitution and bye-laws.

At the AGM, members of the Association proposed to amend the name of the Association from Badminton Association of Ghana to Ghana Badminton Association, but maintained its abbreviations as BAG and changed its logo as well.

This was done to maintain a connection to its Ghanaian history, as the sport turns toward the future and to inspire Ghanaians to love badminton for life and also to ensure a national appeal in line with the government’s responsibility towards national teams.

Ghana Badminton new logo would immediately change across all digital platforms and updating physical branding as it replaces these items in the normal course of a business.

The delegates felt it was time to give a fresh look to the organization with its developing trend to appeal to social media and the Ghanaian public.

Ghana Badminton has gone through changes over the last three years, with a lot of new innovations and exciting progress being made in all areas, with thousands of Ghanaians getting involved in the sport.

Ghana Badminton also approved the nomination of Kevin Evans Alphous as the chair for Athletes’ Commission. The athletes’ commission aim is to present the needs and views of athletes to the Badminton Board and Committees on matters relevant to athletes and act as the official link between players and the Association.

As the governing and supervisory body of the sport in Ghana, the association also adopted the inclusion of 40% of female representation on committees and executive levels by 2025.

Also, there was an updated internal resolution mechanism where a statutory clause will specify that any dispute requiring arbitration involving itself or/and or one of its members and relating to the constitution, regulations, directives and decisions of Ghana Badminton or its officers in an official capacity shall only be referred to an internal dispute resolution of BAG currently highlighted in the constitution as the first place of resolution.

Any member who does not follow the internal resolution procedure as the first point of call for any dispute is automatically banned for three years from the association without further reference and recourse to the member.

Another reform is to allow members to have individual membership to pay their Ghc480 dues for a period of the four-year assessment period and such members will automatically enjoy all the rights and privileges associated.

The Association held the 2020 Annual general meeting over the weekend at the Media Centre of the Accra Sports Stadium saw delegates from 15 regions and 28 clubs across the country.

The Association also received solidarity messages from the National Paralympic Committee, Ghana Olympic Committee, the National Sports Authority, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Women in Sports Association of Ghana.

GNA

 The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) will on Friday, December 18, inaugurate another stadium in Al Rayyan, ahead of the 2022 Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup.

The inauguration would coincide with a national holiday in Qatar and also marks two clear years ahead of the commencement of the World Cup.

It is the latest milestone achievement on the road to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The stadium which would become the new home of Al Rayyan Sports Club is the fourth Qatar 2022 tournament venue to open following Khalifa International, Al Janoub and Education City. Earlier this year.

The venue would host seven matches during the World Cup.

The 40,000-capacity stadium is adjacent to the Mall of Qatar and within walking distance of Al Riffa Station on Doha Metro’s Green Line. The stadium’s striking feature is a glowing façade, comprised of patterns that characterise different aspects of Qatar- the importance of family, the beauty of the desert, native flora and fauna, and local and international trade. A fifth shape – a shield – brings together all the others, representing the strength and unity that is particularly relevant to the city of Al Rayyan.

H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary-General of the SC, said “The inauguration of this stadium is another major milestone on the road to 2022. This stunning venue and the surrounding precinct will leave a fantastic legacy for Al Rayyan Sports Club and everyone who lives in this proud city.

“This event also marks the two-year countdown to the biggest match in Qatar’s history: the FIFA World Cup final. We are proud that our World Cup preparations remain on track, with 90% of infrastructure projects completed. We look forward to unveiling more stadiums next year as we ensure that all tournament venues are delivered well in advance of the big kick-off.”

Hilal Al Kuwari, Chairman of the SC’s Technical Delivery Office, described the stadium’s completion as a massive achievement on the road to the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world.

“Five stadiums have now been completed, including Khalifa, Al Janoub, Education City, Al Bayt and Al Rayyan. The remaining three will be delivered in the near future in order to give us plenty of time to test our operational plans,” said Al Kuwari.

He added “The successful delivery of the stadium in Al Rayyan – on time and within budget – is testament to the outstanding collaboration of the SC team, our numerous contractors and valued stakeholders. We are incredibly excited to launch this venue on Qatar National Day, exactly two years to the day before everyone focuses on our country for the World Cup final.”

Considerable sustainability and efficiency measures have been embedded in the design to reduce the stadium's carbon footprint, including the use of recycled building materials and retaining trees from the surrounding environment. Many of the recycled materials used in the new stadium complex came from the deconstructed Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium that once occupied the site.

As a result, the stadium was awarded the following Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) ratings: GSAS Design & Build Certification (four-star rating), GSAS Construction Management Certification (Class A*) and a GSAS Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) Compliance Certificate.

“The building of this stadium, which incorporated the careful deconstruction of Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium and the reuse of materials from that structure in the new project, is an outstanding achievement for the SC,” said Yasir Al Jamal, Vice Chairman of the SC’s Technical Delivery Office. “From the beginning, sustainability was at the forefront of this project, amid the unique challenges we faced during the development. I’m very proud of the SC team and our valued stakeholders for delivering this outstanding venue.”

After Qatar 2022, the modular upper tier of the stadium will be removed, with the seats being repurposed into sporting facilities in Qatar and overseas. The surrounding precinct will also be

transformed into a regional sporting hub, where locals will have the opportunity to experience many other sporting facilities that spring up as part of the complex.

Six football training pitches, a cricket pitch, horse riding track, cycling track, gym equipment and an athletics track are just some of the facilities that the community of Al Rayyan can look forward to using.

GNA