The Black Challenge, the national amputee football team left Accra, Ghana for Cairo, Egypt in grand style ahead of the start of the 2024 Africa Amputee Cup of Nations (AAFCON).

The team embarked on an exciting journey, leaving the Kotoka International Airport for the land of the Pharaohs, where the tournament awaits them.

All 25 players and the technical team donned the appropriate Accra2023 African Games attire for the departure through Africa World Airlines on transit in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Accra2023 1st African Para Games champions left with greater confidence in their ability to defend the trophy and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Coach Stephen Richard Obeng's squad of determined stars wrapped their pre-tournament camping trip in Accra on Friday.

Ghana is drawn in Group C alongside Kenya, Gambia, and Algeria.

The Black Challenge are expected to beat Gambia in their opener on Sunday, May 19th 2024 at 21:30 hours.

Ghana's Black Challenge won 2021 AFCON in Tanzania and were champions in 2023. Victory for them will see them at the next Amputee Football World Cup.

The contingent: Razak Seidu, Atsu Abor, Raymond Frimpong, Richard Arthur Opentil, Emmanuel Allotey, Sampson Larbi Sarfo, Timothy Hayford, Mohammed Mubarak, Willam Brown, Fuseini Iddi, Cephas Anum, Hamza Mohammed, Yussif Yahaya, Richard Ekwam, Isaac Kwabena Eshun, Huzair Mohammed Harmis, Ali Jarra, Stephen Richard Obeng, Abdalla Sambian Bawa, James Kally, Emmanuel Akpabli, Samuel Obeng Ansah and Abdul-Basit Imoro an administrative officer of Ghana Paralympic Committee.

From Sammy Heywood Okine     

The French Embassy in Ghana has supported the Ghana Para Athletes preparing for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

The national para weight lifting team has secured financial support to be able to go for the qualifiers seeing the potential in the athletes.

The Para Powerlifting Team led by multi talented Tahiru Haruna was facing a challenge in making it to Mexico and Georgia.

However, thanks to the generous sponsorship from the French Embassy Ghana, the team can now confidently participate in the 2024 Parapan American World Cup 23-26 May 2024 in Acapulco, Mexico, and the Tbilisi 2024 World Cup 20-26 June 2024 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

“This sponsorship is not just a financial support but a testament to our potential and the unwavering belief others have in us”.

“We say, Merci beaucoup l'Ambassade de la France” said President of the NPC Ghana, Mr. Samson Deen.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

GBA Good Will Message To Oluwaseun Wahab Ahead Of His Fight Against Mark Chamberlain

The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) wishes Accra-based Nigerian Lightweight sensation Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab aka The Wealth Machine, the very best of luck in his fight against the British undefeated lightweight boxer, Mark ‘The Thunder” Chamberlain on Saturday May 17th, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The two boxers are gearing up to be featured in the undercard of the much anticipated and historic undisputed unifying heavyweight championship bout between Tyson Fury and Usyk Oleksandr dubbed Ring Fire.

The GBA President,Abraham Kotei Neequaye, his board members and members of Ghana boxing fraternity express optimism in Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab (24-1-0-16 kos) to defeat Mark Chamberlain (15-0-0-11 kos).

As the statutory body in charge of regulations, promotions, organization and development of professional boxing in Ghana, the GBA wishes the trainer of Oluwaseun Wahab, Charles Quartey (CEO, CQBF) and his backroom staff in Riyadh the very best of luck in their game plan, directions, control and effective communication at the ringside.

The GBA is by this timely goodwill message wishes to encourage Ghanaians, Nigerians and Africans at large to remember Oluwaseun Wahab in prayers for a befitting victory.

Joshua Oluwaseun “The Wealth Machine” Wahab, the Ghana Boxing fraternity knows you as a credible world beater with enviable track records who is ready to move mountains and make history in Riyadh regardless of any challenges in the ring. You are the best.

GBA COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE                 

… Safety Communication Consult Promotes Mental Health Through Table Tennis

The 7th edition of the CEOs/Executives Pingpong Tourney is set to take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Tang Palace Hotel in Accra.

Organized by Safety Communication Consult with support from the ITTF Foundation Germany, this event aims to promote mental health awareness among CEOs and executives in corporate Ghana.

This year’s tournament has attracted a stellar lineup of invited guests, including Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah as the special guest.

Other notable participants include Lawyer Kofi Abotsi, Eric Mensah Bonsu (VRA, defending champion), Kingsley Sarpong (Chase Petroleum), Dr. Alex Ackon (Police Hospital), Prof. John Aheto, Osei Agyemang (Board Chairman, Achimota), and Kojo Mattah (Former MD, Apex Bank Ltd.).

The tournament promises to be an exciting display of table tennis skills, with winners walking away with medals and trophies.

The organizers have outlined measures to ensure a successful hosting of the event, which promises to be a fun and competitive afternoon of pingpong.

From Wendy Naa Deide Sampah

African Paralympic Committee (APC) AGM & Conference on June 3 and 4 in Accra.

The extraordinary general assembly and conference will take place in one of the plush hotels in the capital of Ghana, Accra.

Dynamic Samson Deen is the President of NPC Ghana and APC.

Power-punching Accra-based Nigerian boxer, Joshua Seunzy Wahab Oluwaseun and his team led by Coach Charles Quartey have met and received inspiration from World Heavy weight Champion Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia.

It is a real dream come true for Wahab to deliver the WBC lightweight silver title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, May 18th, 2024 against undefeated English boxer John Mark Chamberlain which is an undercard to the main event between Alexander Usyk and Tyson Fury.

Wahab who is managed by Mr. Michael Amoo Bediako’s Streetwise Management & Promotions has been training intensely in Accra in preparation for the global boxing event.

He has promised to win to celebrate with his Ghanaian and Nigerian families.

Charles Quartey who is President of the United Boxing Coaches Association believes a victory will do much to open doors for West African boxers.

Assistant Trainer Ernest Ofori thinks they will make history.

Wahab Oluwaseun says he is ready for the WBC Silver Lightweight title.

Friends of Boxing wish him well.                         

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Power-punching Accra-based Nigerian boxer, Joshua Seunzy Wahab Oluwaseun and his team led by Coach Charles Quartey have met and received inspiration from World Heavy weight Champion Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia.

It is a real dream come true for Wahab to deliver the WBC lightweight silver title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, May 18th, 2024 against undefeated English boxer John Mark Chamberlain which is an undercard to the main event between Alexander Usyk and Tyson Fury.

Wahab who is managed by Mr. Michael Amoo Bediako’s Streetwise Management & Promotions has been training intensely in Accra in preparation for the global boxing event.

He has promised to win to celebrate with his Ghanaian and Nigerian families.

Charles Quartey who is President of the United Boxing Coaches Association believes a victory will do much to open doors for West African boxers.

Assistant Trainer Ernest Ofori thinks they will make history.

Wahab Oluwaseun says he is ready for the WBC Silver Lightweight title.

Friends of Boxing wish him well.                         

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Jacob Dickson, former national cruiserweight champion has called on Haruna Mohammed, the current recognized champion of the GBA to come for a showdown to determine who is the best in the division.

Speaking to Yours Truly in an exclusive interview, Jacob said he never knew the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) had stripped him off his title which is at home.

A fight was arranged for Haruna Mohammed of the Wisdom Gym to become a champion with only three fights and Dickson who fough over eight bouts before becoming a national champion does not understand..

Dickson said “If I am a former champion, I accept, but I want to fight Haruna for the whole of Ghana to see who the current best between the two of us is. I know I will beat him like a baby so he is avoiding me. I have been talking to him on social media and we insult ourselves a lot, but I want it to end with a fight because I know am the number one in Ghana”.

For the records Haruna is 4-1-0 after beating veteran George Amuzu, while Dickson is 11-1-0 according to Boxrec,

According to Coach Carl Lokko who handles Dickson at the Bronx Gym, they are focused on bigger challenges, but his boxer wants to prove himself in Ghana so the GBA must give him the chance and not favour any boxer.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Alice Nana Dearing, a British Ghanaian swimmer who performed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has launched a Swimming Academy - Swim With Your Meaning (SWYM) at the Achimota School in Ghana.

According to Alice, she was inspired and advised by her mum who comes from Osu in Accra.

And the fact that Achimota has produced many distinguished and popular international statesmen including Presidents Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Flight Lt.. Jerry John Rawlings and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe

So far over 20 swimmers have signed to join the Swimming Academy, however she experts to have about 250 regular swimmers in the future.

She is an advocate for freedom and human rights and backs more blacks and females to have the water experience.

She told the media, she wants to help coaching structures in some countries that lack the experience and facilities.

In June 2021, she made history as the first black female swimmer to represent Great Britain at the 2020 Olympic Games in open water events

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Mr. Sammy Anim Addo, CEO of Asamoah Gyan Foundation, is optimistic his darling boxer, John Laryea aka ‘Expensive Boxer’ who holds the WBO Africa Featherweight title will grab a world title in the shortest possible time.

Speaking to the media on plans ahead for the aspiring world champion, Anim Addo who is also CEO of the Asamoah Gyan Foundation revealed that they are one of the pillars of the budding pugilist who is being groomed under the tutelage of Coach Carl Lokko at the popular Bronx Gym at James Town, near Bukom to become the next boxing hero of Ghana and Africa.

According to Mr. Anim Addo, the Asamoah Gyan Foundation looks at many things before associating with projects and for their interest in boxing, have decided to support some boxers, mostly from the Bronx Gym who fight under the Bronx Promotions.

He noted that the Foundation looks at character, dedication, devotion, discipline and commitment of sportsmen and women as it is not easy to be involved in sports at the high level.

One boxer who has also benefitted from the Foundation is former IBO Lightweight Champion, Emmanuel Tagoe.

Meanwhile, John Laryea who is undefeated in 14 outings with one draw is feverishly preparing for his training camp and fights in the USA with the support of his international manager Peter Khan.

His trainer, Coach Carl Lokko who led Richard Commey to win the IBF Lightweight title believes John Laryea can also make it.

By Rolland Akwasi Agyapong