The four children of late Black Stars and Accra Great Olympics skipper, Emmanuel Awuley Quaye aka  ‘Black Foyoo’ on Friday paid a courtesy call on the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) to formally inform about the demise and burial arrangement of their dad.

President Ben Nunoo Mensah welcomed them and shared his sympathy and condolences on behalf of all sports federations and sportsmen and women in Ghana. He narrated some experiences with the former star defender and other retired footballers.

He said the late Awuley Quaye was a great man who left a legacy because many people leant a lot from him and he was an international hero having led the Black Stars of Ghana to win the African Cup of Nations in 1978 for keeps.

He urged the children to be strong and focused as the Good Lord knows best.

“Your dad’s passing leaves an irreplaceable void in Ghanaian football, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come, he was in deed a great star from Korle Gonno to the world, and inspirational leadership was unique” he expressed.

Rev. Awuley Quaye Junior, who played for the Black Starlets, Black Satellites, Black Meteors and Black Stars introduced his siblings, Naa Adu, Abdullah, and Lawrencia. He announced that the burial has been fixed for June 8, 2024 at the forecourt of the State House.

Accompanying them was ace sports journalist Dan Kweku Yeboah.

Present at the GOC conference room were Mr. Albert K. Frimpong, President of African Baseball, Rev. E.D. Nikoi, President of Ghana Netball and Yours Truly.

Emmanuel Awuley Quaye who played a pivotal role in Ghana Football died on March 25, 2024. In 2023, the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) honoured him at their 47th awards ceremony, recognizing his significant contributions to football.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghanaian talent Abdul Fatawu Issahaku emerged victorious at Leicester City’s awards ceremony, claiming the prestigious Men’s Young Player of the Year title during Tuesday night’s event.

The award serves as a fitting recognition of Issahaku’s stellar contributions to the Foxes’ campaign, showcasing his remarkable talents since joining the club on loan from Sporting CP last summer.

The ceremony, held at the iconic King Power Stadium, brought together the club’s playing and technical staff across all levels to honor individuals who played pivotal roles throughout the season.

Issahaku’s standout performances throughout the season endeared him to the Leicester faithful, as evidenced by his impressive tally of seven goals and 13 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.

Notably, Issahaku played a key role in Leicester City’s triumphant 2023/24 Championship campaign, contributing to a total of 19 goals and assists under the stewardship of manager Enzo Maresca. His dynamic displays included six goals and 13 assists, culminating in a historic hat-trick against Southampton in a memorable 5-0 victory at home last month.

As Leicester City gears up for Premier League action next season following their successful campaign in the English second tier, Issahaku harbors hopes of securing a permanent deal with the club, buoyed by his exceptional performances throughout the season.

Source sportsblog247

Bronze medalist Edmund Govina, a first timer Track & Field Para Athlete from Ghana who placed 3rd in the F46 Men's Discuss throw with a personal best PB distance of 18.04 meters at the 2024 World Para Athletics Grand Prix Marrakech in Morocco, a qualifier event to PARIS 2024 in France has disclosed that he was not born disabled but had an accident.

“Sports is Life!. I lost hope and never believed sports could give me exposure.

I was involved in a traumatic amputation at Suhum in a car accident on 2nd September 2018. During the rehabilitation, I discovered a program run by the NPC Ghana called Para Sports Against Stigma - PSaS. I contacted the NPC Ghana, and Today, I am a proud National Athlete. My target is to represent Ghana at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games” Edmund Govina T46 Para Athlete said in an exclusive interview.

According to him, it is about time to encourage and motivate para athletes and they will bring laurels to the nation.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The annual African Media is a collaborative effort supported by the African media stakeholders, to reflect on the fundamental role of journalism on the continent, celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and deliberate on measures to safeguard media freedoms and promote access to information, the safety of journalists and media viability in AU Member States.

The AMC was conceived in 2021 by the East African Editors Forum, UNESCO Liaison Office to AU and UNECA and UNESCO National Office in Da-es salaam. It emerged out of a growing need to engage with all the African media stakeholders in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing media in the digital age. Recognizing the critical role of a free and vibrant press on the continent, the inaugural AMC was convened in 2022 in Arusha, Tanzania, bringing together media stakeholders from across Africa and the African Union Commission

AMC has emerged as a pivotal forum for advancing media freedom, innovation, and sustainability across the African continent. Stemming from the esteemed World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3rd, the convention serves as a nexus for journalists, editors, policymakers, academics, civil society and media development partners to convene and deliberate on pertinent issues shaping the media landscape in AU Member States. With a rich history rooted in safeguarding press freedom and journalistic integrity, the AMC has evolved into a beacon of collaboration and capacity-building, rotating across African countries to address evolving challenges and opportunities in the digital era.

This year’s Convention is at the Accra International Conference Centre from Wednesday to Friday, May 15 to 17, 2024.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

The annual African Media is a collaborative effort supported by the African media stakeholders, to reflect on the fundamental role of journalism on the continent, celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and deliberate on measures to safeguard media freedoms and promote access to information, the safety of journalists and media viability in AU Member States.

The AMC was conceived in 2021 by the East African Editors Forum, UNESCO Liaison Office to AU and UNECA and UNESCO National Office in Da-es salaam. It emerged out of a growing need to engage with all the African media stakeholders in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing media in the digital age. Recognizing the critical role of a free and vibrant press on the continent, the inaugural AMC was convened in 2022 in Arusha, Tanzania, bringing together media stakeholders from across Africa and the African Union Commission

AMC has emerged as a pivotal forum for advancing media freedom, innovation, and sustainability across the African continent. Stemming from the esteemed World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3rd, the convention serves as a nexus for journalists, editors, policymakers, academics, civil society and media development partners to convene and deliberate on pertinent issues shaping the media landscape in AU Member States. With a rich history rooted in safeguarding press freedom and journalistic integrity, the AMC has evolved into a beacon of collaboration and capacity-building, rotating across African countries to address evolving challenges and opportunities in the digital era.

This year’s Convention is at the Accra International Conference Centre from Wednesday to Friday, May 15 to 17, 2024.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

DG of NSA meets Presidents of Sports Federations /Associations

The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) has met Presidents of National Sports Federations / Associations

After a successful campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup Tournament for winning the 2023 MTN FA Cup, Dream FC are content with the continental taste and want to do it again.

Coach Abdul Karim Zito says he has learnt a lot and wants to impart to young coaches, his players and other football people.

Last Thursday, they beat Soccer Interllectuals by a lone goal to qualify for the Semi Finals of the 2024 MTN FA Cup Competition which has the slogan “Obia yen obia”.

But the competition which began with all the Premier League Clubs, Division One and Two has seen the mighty clubs surviving and the weak teams falling by.

The Semi Finalists include Nsoatreman, Legon Cities and Tano Bofoakwa.

The Still Believe lads inflicted a 1-0 win over Division One League side Soccer Intellectuals on Thursday to secure qualification to the semifinals of this year’s FA Cup competition.

Dreams FC attacking midfielder Abdul Aziz Issah says his outfit ultimate target is to defend the FA Cup title this season.

The top transfer target for clubs in Africa and Europe at large scored the only to propel Dreams FC to book a place in the semifinals.

Speaking after the game, Issah emphasized the need to defend the FA Cup title and make a return to Africa for the second time running.

“Our main target is to defend the title and make a return to Africa” he said after the game.

The Still Believe lads defied all odds to reach the semifinals of their maiden participation in the Confederation Cup campaign.

Meanwhile, MTN, the telecom giant in Ghana has released inspiring incentives for the FA Cup Competition with the creation of fan zones and distribution of prizes to lucky winners.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana is at the 2024 World Athletics Relays championship which takes place at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas on May 4 and 5, 2024.

This championship serves as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, attracting the world’s top-performing athletes from over 40 countries. Ghana's primary objective is to qualify the men’s 4 x 100m relay team.

The Ghanaian 4x100m men's relay team, currently ranked 15th globally, is focused on accumulating points or securing an automatic qualification.

They recently participated in the 2023 African Games and the Penn Relays, clinching second place on both occasions behind Nigeria and Jamaica.

Ghana 100m record holder, Benjamin Azamati who missed the Penn Relays, has joined forces with Ibrahim Fuseini, Isaac Botsio, Sean Safo-Antwi, and Joseph Paul Amoah to bolster Ghana's chances of securing Olympic qualification.

Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, Vice President of Ghana Athletics is very optimistic and confident that the Ghana quarte team will make it. “Am sure they will make it” he stressed.

He appealed to corporate Ghana to support the training and camping of athletes as they prepare for major competitions.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

… Celebrates with kids at Bukom

Expensive boxer, John Abaja Laryea turned 24 years old on 1st May, 2024 and he was celebrated at the Bronx Boxing Club in Bukom – Accra by his management, coaches, fans and gym mates.

WBO Africa Featherweight Champion, John Laryea celebrated this birthday with his team, family, friends and colleague boxers at the Bronx Boxing Club. Everyone present at the gathering was happy and had a lot of fun.

The undefeated boxer earlier in the day took to the streets of Bukom and generously gave back to the community by sharing refreshing moments with some kids in Bukom.

The 14th world ranked "expensive" boxer last year, celebrated his 23rd birthday in the ring, right after stopping his opponent Solomon Martey on the 6th round to win his 2nd WBO African Featherweight title.

When asked in an interview if he plans on printing something new on the memories of Ghanaians this time around, John said "I will make sure i win my first international bout on the 31st of May and dedicate it to my fans and all Ghanaians as appreciation for their support all these years, and possibly have a post-birthday celebration". He jokingly added.

Mr. Samuel Anim Addo, manager of John Laryea happily expressed his appreciation to everyone at the event and also his gratitude for how far John has come. His wish for the young boxer is to be a world champion before his next birthday.

By George Agbakla

After the recent exploits of light heavyweight boxer, Jon Power in Ghanaian rings, he has earned recognition and now international match makers are following him.

Solomon Otoo who saw his bout has decided to match him against a Nigeria Richard Egowa (12-0-0) of Nigeria in a hot contest which has been described as his biggest test.

Jonathan Mbanugu who is (7-0-0) has agreed as he wants to beat the best to be the best, so the fight may happen in Nigeria around.

Manager of Power, Mr Gordon Frimpong of Osibor Promotions fame said they well prepared and ready for any fight and this is what we are here for (boxing), so if the purse is good enough we are also good to go because I want the whole world to see what my boy is made of and he is not afraid to enter into the ring because he fears no one.

Jon Power who is gaining popularity day by day is poised for greatness and already making waves to be one of the best in the Light Heavyweight division.

The Nigerian opponent also undefeated, so the bout would be a good show.

“Challenges makes fight happen, because that is where we see the caliber of boxers one is producing to the world, both boxers are on the same page and ready to roar at each other to deliver what the fans want so let’s see how it goes in the end” Solomon said.

By Sammy Heywood Okine