Prince ‘The ‘Buzz’ Happy To Be Named Best Juvenile Boxer 2020

Young boxing whiz kid, Prince ‘The Buzz’ Larbie has expressed his joy after he got to know that he is the current best juvenile boxer in Ghana.

Speaking to him and his dad over the weekend at the Will Power Boxing Gym in James Town, Accra they said the recognition will inspire them to train hard and reach the dreamland of becoming one of the youngest world champions.

His dad said he believes in awards as they are a source of inspiration, and it makes you feel people are watching what you are doing.

The 8 year juvenile boxer said he wants to be the best so he never jokes with his training and education.

He called on parents to allow their children to go into sports or showbiz to unearth and nature their talents.

Jessie Manyo Plange aka ‘Black Flash’ was voted overwhelmingly as best Professional Boxer of the year 2020 by the Boxing Writers Association Ghana (BWAG).

Coach of the year was share by Carl Lokko of the Bronx Gym and Lartekwei Lartey of the Fit Square Gym.

Promoter of the year went to Box Office headed by Mr. Alex Ntiamoah, with Manager of the year going to Mr. Ivan Bruce Cudjoe of Cabic Management fame for managing to organize the broadcast of the Boxing Day Rumble on GTV Sports Plus.

Boxing Referee / Judge of the year was taken by Erasmus Owoo.

Special Appreciation Awards went to Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), the Ghana Boxing Supporters Union (GBSU) and Mr. D. A. Annan, an official of the GBA.

In the amateur division, the Best Boxer went to 20 year old Samuel Takyi aka ‘Ring Warrior’ who has qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Prince ‘The Buzz’ Larbie was voted as the Best Juvenile Boxer.

Best Boxing Facility went to the Bukom Boxing Arena inside the Trust Sports Emporium in Accra.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

A study has estimated that staging Tokyo 2020 without spectators would result in a $23 billion economic loss ©Getty Images

A study has estimated that staging this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo without spectators would result in a ¥2.4 trillion (£16.9 billion/$23.1 billion/€19 billion) economic loss for Japan.

Katsuhiro Miyamoto, a professor of theoretical economics at Kansai University, has calculated the economic impact of holding Tokyo 2020 behind closed doors.

According to his estimates, there would be a ¥381.3 billion (£2.7 billion/$3.7 billion/€3 billion) loss in spending related directly to the Games, or 90 per cent of the original projection for the event.

Due to declining enthusiasm for Tokyo 2020, Miyamoto estimated stimulus effects on household consumption expenditures would halve to ¥280.8 billion (£2 billion/$2.7 billion/€2.2 billion) and corporate marketing activities would be reduced.

Economic gains from promotional sporting and cultural events after the Games would be reduced by half to ¥851.4 billion (£6 billion/$8.2 billion/€6.7 billion), according to the study.

Limiting spectators would also lead to a blow to Japan's tourism industry and fewer opportunities for businesses, it is claimed.

Miyamoto has previously released calculations suggesting a loss of ¥4.5 trillion (£31.7 billion/$43.3 billion/€35.6 billion) if Tokyo 2020 is cancelled, as well as a loss of around ¥640.8 billion (£4.5 billion/$6.2 billion/€5 billion) if the Games are postponed again.

He also provided an estimate for a scenario in which the number of spectators is reduced by half, which he claims would result in a loss of ¥1.4 trillion (£9.9 billion/$13.5 billion/€11 billion).

Tokyo 2020 President Yoshirō Mori claimed a decision on spectators at Tokyo 2020 will be made in March ©Getty Images

Concerns over the fate of Tokyo 2020 have intensified since the New Year following a rise in coronavirus cases in countries such as Japan, thought to be largely caused by more transmissible variants of COVID-19.

Suga was forced to declare a state of emergency in several areas, including the capital city Tokyo, in a bid to curb the surging coronavirus figures.

With a recent Kyodo News survey finding around 80 per cent of Japanese people want this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo to be cancelled or postponed, there have also been calls to push Tokyo 2020 back to 2024.

Organisers have remained confident the Games will go ahead, however, with IOC President Thomas Bach claiming earlier this week there was "no reason whatsoever" for the Olympics not to open on July 23 and there was no "Plan B".

He did concede spectators at the Games may be limited, however.

According to Tokyo 2020 President Yoshirō Mori, a decision on whether spectators will be permitted to attend Tokyo 2020 will be made in March.

Around 4.48 million tickets for the Olympics and 970,000 for the Paralympics have already been sold.

Tickets will be valid for 2021, with only 810,000 of Japanese ticketholders for the Olympics requesting refunds last month.

Sales of tickets were forecast to provide ¥90 billion (£634 million/$867 million/€712 million) in revenue.  

Insidethegames

Arsenal and Turkish side Fenerbahce have reached an agreement on the transfer of Mesut Ozil.

The midfielder’s move from the London club was completed this past week, but all the details have now been confirmed by both clubs.

Technical director Edu said: “We thank Mesut for his huge contribution to Arsenal. He has made more than 250 appearances, played in three Emirates FA Cup final wins, and has given the fans and everyone at the club many wonderful moments on the pitch since he joined us in 2013,”

“We would like to thank Mesut and his team for their professionalism during our recent negotiations. I know everyone associated with Arsenal will join me in wishing Mesut and his family the best of health, success, and happiness in the next chapter of his career.”

A statement from the Turkish side read;

“Özil’s transfer from Premier League side Arsenal to Fenerbahçe, the team with the most national league titles in Turkish football (28 titles), has been completed with the player signing a contract with the club for 3,5 years,”

Ozil joined Arsenal in 2013 from Spanish giants Real Madrid and became one of the key Arsenal players over the last couple of seasons.

His influence however dropped in the last two seasons, falling out of favour with both Unai Emery and most recently Mikel Arteta.

He was left out of the Gunners’ Premier League and Europa League teams, which virtually spelled the end to his Arsenal career.

Arsenal and Turkish side Fenerbahce have reached an agreement on the transfer of Mesut Ozil.

The midfielder’s move from the London club was completed this past week, but all the details have now been confirmed by both clubs.

Technical director Edu said: “We thank Mesut for his huge contribution to Arsenal. He has made more than 250 appearances, played in three Emirates FA Cup final wins, and has given the fans and everyone at the club many wonderful moments on the pitch since he joined us in 2013,”

“We would like to thank Mesut and his team for their professionalism during our recent negotiations. I know everyone associated with Arsenal will join me in wishing Mesut and his family the best of health, success, and happiness in the next chapter of his career.”

A statement from the Turkish side read;

“Özil’s transfer from Premier League side Arsenal to Fenerbahçe, the team with the most national league titles in Turkish football (28 titles), has been completed with the player signing a contract with the club for 3,5 years,”

Ozil joined Arsenal in 2013 from Spanish giants Real Madrid and became one of the key Arsenal players over the last couple of seasons.

His influence however dropped in the last two seasons, falling out of favour with both Unai Emery and most recently Mikel Arteta.

He was left out of the Gunners’ Premier League and Europa League teams, which virtually spelled the end to his Arsenal career.

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Will Power Boxing Gym Cries For Help

The Will Power Boxing Gym at James Town is really in a bad state and crying out for support.

The former well equipped boxing gym founded and fitted by the late boxer / trainer Napoleon Tagoe is in a deplorable shape and the care taker, Daniel Larbie has called on the Ministry of Youth & Sport, the National Sports Authority, the Ghana Boxing Authority and promoters to help renovate to bring the gym to shape.

According to Coach Larbie, dad of the sensational juvenile boxer, Prince ‘The Buzz’ Larbie, the gym was once the best in Accra, but now its one of the worse because maintenance has not been the best, since the demise of the founder, and he needs support to get new and modern equipment.

He said the electrical fittings, ceiling, windows, doors, punching bags and others are all old, worn out, dirty and lose.

He stressed that many top world class boxers started from the Will Power Gym and they have trained many boxers. He added that others doing martial arts also train there.

According to Coach Dan Larbie, he currently has five professional boxers, 20 amateurs and about 30 juvenile boxers, including his son, the rising star, Prince Larbie, who was recently voted Best Juvenile Boxer 2020 by the Boxing Writers Association Ghana (BWAG).

Prince ‘The Buzz’ Larbie is reputed as a fast rising talented kiddo boxer, and the new phenomenon in boxing to watch out for in Africa.

Larbie, the 8 year-old boy is traced to emerge from Ghana Boxing Village, Jamestown and has got amazing punches speed.

Larbie throws about 150 punches in 1 minute at very fast pace.

His father, who doubles as his manager disclosed to said he started developing interest in boxing at the age of two.

“Boxing is my life, while growing up, I’ve always had the dream to be a world Champion’’ Prince Larbie revealed.

He pleaded with Ghanaians who wish and want him to succeed to support in the renovation and equipping the Will Power Gym.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Professional Combat Sports Association of Ghana in association with the Jiu Jitsu Federation of Ghana on Saturday, January 23, 2021 organized a Combat Jiu Jitsu Referees and Judges course which was attended by sports journalists at the Will Power Gym at James Town in Accra.

Participants were taken through the basics and foundation of the art, as well as scoring and opportunities in the sport.

Technical Director, Maxwell Borquaye was supported by fighters Malik Adjei and Ismael Lamptey in the demonstrations. The second Dan Black Belt Karateka said he trains regularly daily and having knowledge of basic self defence ideas is very good.

He disclosed that Ghana has been selected alongside Egypt out of 13 nations to represent Africa at the World Combat Jiu Jitsu Championship in Ukraine in May.

There was a Grappling Officiating course earlier on the day, before the self-defence training which some Journalists took part.

Mr. Evans Bernie Johnson, PRO of the Professional Combat Sports Association appeal to corporate Ghana to support the least financed sports like Grappling and they will see their investments yielding positive results.

He said combat sport  is exciting and entertaining on television so the media must take up the challenge to promote the sports and inform the public accurately on events.

Bernie Johnson who is also the president of the Grappling Association thanked the media who attended and promise to organise a second phase of the courses.

Present at the event were executives of the association, Mr. Gabriel Akosah, Elizabeth Tetteh, Bernice Adutwumwaa and others.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The newly-elected Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), Kudjoe Fianoo, has vowed not to let clubs down in his next administration as he begins his second term in office.

Addressing the media after his sweet triumph, Fianoo said he was ready to meet his new executive members to begin working in the interest of GHALCA.

“I can’t let my clubs down for the overwhelming endorsement of my candidature. I am ready to commence work from today to place GHALCA where it belongs,” an elated Mr Fianoo declared.

“It is very important to restore the integrity of the association and that is what I am going to do. I am looking forward to meet my new executive members so we can commence work immediately,” he said.

Fianoo garnered 71 votes to beat challenger Isaac Koomson’s 47 votes in the keenly-contested election, promising to restore the integrity of GHALCA as the welfare body of the various clubs in the country.

The astute football administrator secured another four years to lead GHALCA, having served the association in that same capacity from 2017 to 2020.

In the other results, John Ansah dethroned Alex Ackumey to become the new vice chairman after amassing 66 votes as against his opponent’s 47.

Linda Ansong of Liberty became the new treasurer of the association after beating Justice Boison with a landslide victory of 90 votes to 23. George Ofosuhene and Edmund Ackah snatched the two Premier League slots from Nana Amankwah.

In the Division One representation, Eugene Nobel Noel bagged 58 votes to edge out Felix Bewu who had 54 votes, while Emmanuel Abrokwah’s 54 votes toppled Eugene Jacquaye’s 14 and Vincent Boateng’s 43.

However, the women’s football contest failed to produce a winner after two rounds of voting ended in a deadlock with both Anita Wiredu and Edna Quagraine getting eight votes each, leading to the postponement of that particular election to a later date.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Pearl Pia Ladies Mercy Tagoe hopes for successful season

Female footballer, Mercy Amorkor. Tagoe of Pearl Pia Ladies FC says she is praying for a successful season to display her talent and help her club to emerge as one of the best teams in the country.

Speaking to Yours Truly, the utility player expressed that due to time given to the clubs and players, they have all prepared well and she believes the 2020/ 2021 seasson is going to be exciting and tough.

After drawing their first league match 1-1 against Fabulous Ladies, they clash with Ampem Darkoa Ladies in another tough encounter at the Ohene Ameyaw Park at Techiman.

According to Tagoe who  loves to be called ‘Sabato’, they will go all out to at least earn an away draw, as their opponents are also a crack side.

She thanked the GFA, WPL board and the media as well as the spectators who watch female football to motivate and inspire the players.

She appealed to her colleagues and other female players to stay protected and abide by all the Covid – 19 protocols and health regulations.

“We know life is very precious, so no one should lose her guard at all. The pandemic is real, however we have to play to survive. Football is our game and business, so we have to do it well in a manner not to be affected by and negative thing. We hope to succeed. Thank you so much for this opportunity” she expressed.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Arsenal have finally managed to offload Mesut Ozil with a report from Turkey claiming he is heading for Fenerbahce.

Turkish outlet DHA Spor have reported that Ozil has agreed a three-and-a-half year contract with Fener.

Their headline is: “The dream came true: Mesut Ozil in Fenerbahce.”

The report claims Fenerbahce President Ali Koç used the phrase: “It is a difficult dream to come true.”

Ozil, who had been in talks with US side DC United, posted a picture of himself in Istanbul on Twitter on Tuesday night with the caption: ‘This city.’

It’s understood Ozil will sign on loan until the remainder of the season, with Arsenal picking us his £350,000-a-week salary. He will then sign permanently in the summer and collect a €2.5m signing on fee and €5m a year.

Ozil had been in negotiations with MLS side DC United, according to football.london.

DC ‘offer’

The MLS side offered an ‘attractive’ package to the 32-year-old, but it appears he has opted to move to Turkey.

DC had offered Ozil exciting plans to help expand his M10 brand across the US. Wayne Rooney’s former club also offered to roll out his 39 Steps Coffee brand in their Audi Field stadium.

The German international has been frozen out of the Gunners squad this season. Indeed, he has not played a single minute for Mikel Arteta since March after being left out of the Premier League and Europa League squads.

His contract is due to expire this season meaning he could leave for nothing after arriving for £42million in 2013.

Source - teamtalk.com

Right to Dream academy appoints first Ghanaian MD after $120m investment

Eddie Mensah is the new Right to Dream Mananging Director     

The Right to Dream Academy has appointed its first Ghanaian managing director Eddie Mensah after the Akosombo-based football school was heavily boosted by $120m from an Egyptian billionaire.

Mensah, who has a masters degree, has been poached from one of America’s leading private schools to help maximize the academy’s potential in the wake of the arrival of Mohammed Mansour as the majority shareholder.

With the fresh investment from the Egyptian family, Right to Dream will expand its intake of Ghanaian footballers both boys and girls to scale up the talents they discover for the West African country.

The academy in Ghana will also continue to develop some of the best youth players in the country and focus on discovering many talents and developing high-performance athletes with a focus on education.

The former head of school for the Charlotte Preparatory School has been brought in to benefit from his expertise and experience with one of the leading private schools in the world which is based in North Carolina.

The award-winning administrator has been brought back home, close to where he was born, to charge of the operations of the football academy.

He joins many prominent Ghanaians working for Right to Dream including former Black Stars Derek Boateng, Laryea Kingston, Didi Dramani, Michael Essien and King Osei Gyan and more could join because of the expansion.

The Right To Dream academy has helped to develop some of the best youth players in Ghana and is proof that there is a different way to develop elite athletes with strong education paths through purpose-driven football.

The expansion into Egypt and Europe is further evidence that Ghana can export its football values and culture, not just its players.

 "After living abroad for 30 years I am thrilled to return home to join the work that will usher in the next generation of African leaders”, said Eddie Mensah, the new MD of RTD Ghana.

“This partnership will provide a strong launching pad for the next phase of Right To Dream’s evolution. We are excited about the tremendous potential for a bigger impact.”

Mensah grew up in Ghana, a couple of hours away from the Right to Dream campus. At 16 he won a national scholarship to attend Pearson College in Canada, one of a number of international United World Colleges.

He earned an international baccalaureate degree there before moving to the United States for university.

With a Bachelor's in Economics, he worked first as a teacher and then for 13 years as a director for an educational non-profit.

He then worked as a head of middle school before transitioning to Head of School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has a master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

He's also completing studies for a Certificate of Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School.

Right To Dream academies are not simply a pipeline for talent, they are platforms of opportunity for the boys and girls who come into contact with them, on and off the field.

Established in Ghana before expanding into Europe and North America, Right To Dream academies aim to merge people and purpose through the lens of football.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

A former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Yagaba-Kubori Constituency, Hon. Mustapha Ussif has been nominated to serve as the Minister for Youth and Sports in the second term of President Nana Akufo-Addo.

The President of the Republic in a letter from his office sent to Parliament has confirmed the news today.

The Minister for Youth and Sports designate is expected to be vetted and will see his appointment confirmed when he passes.

If he does, Hon. Mustapha Ussif will replace Hon. Isaac Asiamah who in the first term of President Nana Akufo-Addo served as the Minister for Youth and Sports.

The former Sports Minister under his watch supervised the construction of a number of stadia in ten of Ghana’s 16 regions. Although they are not completed, some are at the final stages of completion and can be used.

The Minister-designate will be expected to oversee the completion of those facilities and ensure sports sees significant development during his tenure.

Mustapha Ussif, 41, is a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and in the past has served on a number of committees in Parliament,

Frim Sammy Heywood Okine