Dreams FC who are representing Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup representatives have announced a free gate policy for their game against Zamalek on Sunday 4pm in the reverse fixture of the semifinal.

This is a bid fill the Baba Yara Sports Stadium with fans for the crucial game that they need to win at all cost and progress to the final of the competition on their first attempt.

Dreams FC released a statement on Tuesday afternoon announcing the policy to open free gate to fans for the game.

The first leg in Cairo last Sunday ended in a goalless draw, but Coach Karim Zito says he will change the game plan to ensure a sound victory.

“The management of Dreams Football Club has accepted a recommendation to make access to majority portions of the stadium for its return leg CAF Confederation Cup semi-final clash against Zamalek free of charge.

“Consequently, the popular and centre line stands of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for the game on Sunday, April 28, 2024, will be free.

“Tickets for the VIP and VVIP stands shall however be sold for ghc 20 and ghc 50 respectively to satisfy security and safety requirements.

“We therefore urge all football enthusiasts in Ghana to gather in large numbers at the baba yara sports stadium to support the team as they strive to achieve a historic qualification for the grand finale of the continental competition.

The management of Dreams will soon announce several other measures to ensure the successful hosting of the game.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, has sadly kicked the bucket. His untimely demise happened on Monday April 22 at the University of Ghana Medical Center after a brief spell with illness, and was announced on Tuesday April 23, 2024 by the President of Ghana Armwrestling, Charles Osei Asibey who is also General Secretary of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).

He was the Chief Coordinating Officer- (COO) of Accra 2023 13th African Games which was successfully held in Ghana. The former Chief Executive of the National Sports Authority was a top Sports Administrator and Coach. He served as special technical adviser at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. His inter personal relations was super.

He led Ghana National Sports Delegations to over 50 (fifty) countries across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America and lectured sports-related programs in those countries,

He also served as the Director of Sports Directorate of the University of Ghana, Legon (UG) and former part-time Lecturer of the Department of Physical Education and Sports Studies, School of Education and Leadership (SEL), UG.

Dr. Owusu Ansah was encyclopedia of sports, who wrote many proposals, reports and books not only on sports but life.

May his soul rest in peace.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Former President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), Mr. George Lamptey was on appointment for the international Boxing Association (IBA) as an International Technical Officer (ITO) at the recent international tournament in South Africa.

The prestigious Nelson Mandela Boxing Tournament which attracted African countries took place in Durban.

He was surprised Ghana’s Black Bombers could not take part as the prize money of $ 5000 for gold, $ 3000 for Silver and $1,500 for bronze winners was cool and good.

“I am very sad that my country, Ghana could not take part, because they are preparing for the World Olympic Qualifier, but they could gain a lot here” he told Yours Truly.

He observed that Ghanaian boxers are not exposed so they often lose some matches which they can win easily.

He called for more financial support for the Black Bombers, Black Rockets and Black Hitters.

The inaugural Mandela African Boxing Cup took place from 15-21 April at the International Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The National Boxing Team, the Black Bombers will be in New Zealand in June this year to participant in the international professional and amateur boxing tournament in Auckland with their New Zealand counterparts.

According to Vice President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) Mr. Dauda Fuseni, the programme is to enable boxers of the two countries to test and sharpen their potential top boxers in preparing them for other Games.

He said while the main team would be in Thailand to participate in the second World Boxing Qualifier for Paris 2024, the reserve side comprising other top young budding pugilists like Mohammed Aryeetey and Abu Kamoko get the opportunity to travel to New Zealand for the project which is a bilateral relationship agreed by the Amateur Federations of the two countries.

Dauda Fuseni said the Black Bombers remarkable performance at the 13^th African Games where they bagged four gold, one silver and two bronze medals has been noticed and Ghana is still seen as a great boxing nation.

“We need exposure, our boys are good but they lack international exposure and experience, they must go out to fight or we must invite other nationals here and it is not easy, so when such opportunities come we should not let it slip” he told Yours Truly.

Mr. Fuseni said the Black Bombers must be in Paris at all cost.

“We should be at the 2024 Olympic Games, we have made the history and we should maintain it” he expressed.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Incumbent Mr. Samson Deen has declared his decision to contest in the next Election of the National Paralympic Committee, NPC Ghana which takes place on October 4, 2024.

Speaking to Yours Truly exclusively after the first Extraordinary General Assembly At Airport West Hotel last Saturday, the President of NPC Ghana assured of building a better and bigger family to embrace all or most disabled sports disciplines and federations.

He called for love, peace, unity and desire for greatness and achievement.

He first term of office saw Ghana hosting the first African Para Games, where the Black Challenge (Amputee Football Team) excited and excelled as well as sourcing and providing modern equipment for athletes. He also facilitated the travel of athletes and coaches for exposure and experience.

He hoped that some athletes will qualify for the Paralympic Games in Paris, France which is the major international coming up after the 2024 Olympic Games.

Mr. Samson Deen is a Ghanaian Hospitality, Communication and Sports Management consultant since 2003 who founded the African Origin Travels and Sports Tourism, AOG Construction Services and African Origin Group of Companies in 2017.

He is currently the President of the African Paralympic Committee (APC). Deen polled 24 of the total votes cast, beating Morocco’s Hamid El Aouni who polled 15 votes to replace Leonel da Rocha Pinto, who reigned for 13 years. The APC Election took place in Morocco.

He was a member of the Local Organising Committee and Chairman of the Transport Committee of the 13th African Games which has been declared the best Games since 1965 with 53 countries participating in 29 disciplines across 10 venues in Accra and Cape Coast.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Dreams FC aims for upset against Egyptian powerhouse Zamalek in CAF Confederation Cup semifinal

Dreams FC is gearing up for a David-versus-Goliath battle against Egyptian giants Zamalek in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semifinal on Sunday.

Despite being labeled as underdogs, head coach Karim Zito remains optimistic about his team's chances of pulling off an upset.

Dreams FC secured their spot in the semifinals after eliminating Stade Malien of Mali with a 3-2 aggregate victory. The Ghanaian club won 2-1 in the first leg and held their ground in the return match, drawing 1-1 at home.

Zito acknowledged the daunting task ahead but emphasized that his team is capable of rising to the occasion. "It sounds frightening and so difficult, but I can tell you it is not impossible. We have to work on our attitude towards that game, and I can tell you we will surely get what we want there," he stated.

The coach also called on Ghanaians to rally behind the team.

"They should not be worried. We know the quality of Zamalek, but they should not also look down on Dreams FC. Nobody thought we would reach this stage. We need their support," Zito added.

Dreams held their first training in Cairo today ahead of the crucial clash.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana’s youth athletics team won total of 19 medals! 12 Gold, 5 Silver 2 and Bronze at the just ended 4-Nation Junior Athletics championships at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny. Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire.

In the results update, Aisha Ibrahim and Latifa Haruna came 1st and 3rd in the women U18 400m finals in a time of 56.43sec and 1:00.01 respectively.

Naseera Quansah and Amanda Yeboah also came 1st and 4th in the women U20 100m finals in a time of 12.08sec and 12.76sec (+0.3) respectively, while

Joseph Andoh kwofie and Sarfo Isaac came 1st and 3rd in the men U20 100m finals in a time of 10.69sec and 10.83sec (+1.4) respectively.

Isaac Beniako was 2nd in the men U18 400m finals in a time of 50.22sec. as Gloria Amoh won the U18 women long jump finals with a jump of 4.62m.

Ghana U20 quartet came first in the women 4x100m relay finals in a time of 48.56sec. Team made up of Lois Owusu Asantewaa, Naseera Afuah Quansah, Abdulai Sakina, Christiana Amanda Yeboah.

Ghana U20 quartet came first in the men 4x100m relay finals in a time of 41.89sec. Team made of Joseph Andoh kwofie, Francis Liberty Fantivie, Isaac Sarfo and Abubakar Hamza.

Prince Yaw Gyasi Adu won the U18 men high jump finals with a jump of 1.90m.

The 4-Nation Junior Athletics championship was held at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny. Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

Source Sammy Heywood Okine

A 5- Member Ghana Para-Athletic of the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana led by Coach Ibrahim Aminu Suleman leaves Accra on 21st April 2024 to Morocco to participate in the 2024 Marrakech World Para Athletics Grand Prix which starts from 22nd April 2024 to 28th April 2024.

This event is part of the qualitative events to Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and it will serve as an opportunity for classification for the first Ghanaian Para Athlete in the field of shot put, standing javelin and discuss thro in the person of Edmund Govina. The other members of the team who have been classified already are 21 year old Amos Ahiagah, right arm amputee will be competing in  100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters and men’s long jump events, whiles a 19 year old Diana Kuubetegr also an arm amputee will compete in the women’s 800 meters abd 1,500 meters events. Zinabu Issah who is an experienced para athlete will be competing in women’s sitting shot put, discuss throw and javelin events.

This young para athlete team are poised in qualifying for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and will call on corporate bodies to support the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana with funds to enable them attend other Paris 2024 Paralympic Games qualification events coming up in Japan, Switzerland and France respectively.

With the support of NPC Ghana, Ghana’s Dr Abena Tannor has qualified as a WPA international classifier and will be one of the doctors to embark on the classification for para athletes at the event

The team is been sponsored by the President of the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana, Mr Samson Deen with logistic support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Authority.

For further information on this championship kindly contact Mr Ignatius Elletey - +233 24 272 6287

Source NPC

THE HON. EVANS OPOKU BOBIE (MP), DEPUTY MINISTER OF YOUTH AND SPORTS,

1. WILLIAM KARTEY, CHIEF DIRECTOR MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS,
2. JEFFREY KUMI MANZAN OWUSU, HEAD OF THE TECHNICAL DEPT. NSA,

MY DISTINGUISH BOARD MEMBERS,

DEAR DELEGATES AND LEADERS OF NATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS,

THE MEDIA,

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

Good morning, welcome and thank you all for honoring the invitation to this important event, the maiden Extraordinary General Assembly in the history of Paralympic movement in Ghana.

First of all, let me express my profound gratitude to the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports, the Deputy Minister, the Chief Director, the Staff of the Ministry, NSA as well as the Paralympic Family and Friends for the support on this journey to this far.

I am particularly grateful to the Honorable Minister, His Deputy Minister Honorable Evans Opoku Bobbie and Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) for your support as a candidate and my eventual election to head the African continental Region Organization - the African Paralympic Committee as its President. Unprecedented in the history of the Paralympic Movement in Ghana and the West African Sub-region. I will forever remain grateful and indebted to you.

Hon. Deputy Minister, about four years ago, precisely on the 6th of July 2019 the NPC-Ghana General Assembly elected me as the president, alongside seven (7) other elected officers including Mr. Frederick Otu – Vice President, Mr. Peter Adjei – Secretary General, Mr. Evans Yeboah – Treasurer, as well as Mr. Twum Barimah, Ibrahim Saani, Philip Otuo, Henry Larbi as members.  Thus, to form the Executive Board and run the affairs of the NPC for a four-year term; to inspire further transformation of the Paralympic Movement and its sports in Ghana, provide the needed leadership as well as offer hope and opportunities for our athletes.

Honorable Deputy Minister, the Board members have been phenomenal in their dealings, providing effective and good leadership support characterized by teamwork, collaboration, and dedication. The mix of technical and administrative experiences and expertise of members has been remarkable for which I am grateful.

Dear Delegates, a lot of gains have been made for the past four years despite the negative and unproductive activities of some individuals and groups just to thwart the effort of this administration. Some of these unproductive actions and activities include attempt to form splinter bodies, circulating letters to embassies and international sporting organization, court actions and attempt to stop legitimate national athletes and teams to represent the country in international competitions and events. This is not only negatively impacting the development and promotion of our sports, but also causing embarrassment to our dear country in the international scene as well as undermining the authorities of the country’s sporting governing bodies including the Sector Ministry.

Honorable Deputy, notwithstanding these challenges, we have remained committed, focused, and resilient and this has inspired the successes chalked so far. These Few years, Honorable Deputy Minister, para sports and athletes’ participation has increased tremendously, both at national and international levels. We have witnessed our athletes participating in all the major international and world events including the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Japan, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom; the historic hosting of the First African Para Games by Ghana brought and left a lot of benefits for our sports including a dedicated office; variety of sports equipment which has been distributed to various Sports Federations, a 44 Seater Bus yet to cleared from the Tema Port, Training of national and international classifiers for para athletics, powerlifting, boccia, wheelchair tennis; training of coaches and technical officials for various sports are some of the remarkable achievements of this administration.

Inclusion Honorable Deputy Minister, the purpose of today’s meeting informed by Article 7(3) of our constitution that states, “Extraordinary General Assembly may be called by the President, on request of the Executive Board or by at least one-third (1/3) of the total number of members, to address urgent matters affecting or brought before the Committee and the purpose shall be clearly stated for notice of members and quorum of the meeting shall be 2/3 of members”.

We are here today dear delegates to consider following issues going forward:

1. Consideration for approval of Annual Membership Fees
2. Consideration for approval of New Para Sports and their respective Federations/Associations (Adaptive Boxing, Boccia Sports, Para Biathlon, Wheelchair Rugby, Para Archery, Wheelchair Softball,

iii.      Amendments to Article 2 Membership: Sections 1 to 5

7. Date for Elective General Assembly per Article 7. 1(ii) and 6(ii)

On this note, I wish once again to welcome you all to this august meeting and urge you to offer your invaluable contributions and suggestions to the issues.

Thank you and may Allah bless us all.

Source Samson Deen

… New Para Sports Federations Accepted Into Family

The National Paralympic Committee NPC Ghana at its first Extraordinary General Assembly has fixed its Elective congress for October 4 2024, after the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France.

Over twenty member federations unanimously endorsed the proposals for the Elective Congress at the Airport West Hotel in Accra.

In attendance was the Deputy Minister for Youth & Sports Hon. Bobie Ansah and members of Ghana Sports Supporters..

The Congress also approved its membership annual affiliation fees of One Thousand Ghana Cedis to help the board in all its management duties and other activities.

President of the NPC Ghana Samson Deen commended all the federations who attended and called for peace and unity among the rank and file of disable sports associations and personnel in Ghana.

He thanked the media who attended the Congress in numbers and managed to question some recent misunderstandings within the para sports fraternity in Ghana.  

Para Table Tennis and Boccia Para Sports, among others, were accepted as new members of the Ghana National Paralympic Committee.

With ten para federations, the General Assembly of the Ghana Paralympic Committee formed a quorum out of thirteen to admit the sports federations that successfully qualified the constitutional provision and Ghana's Sports Regulations 2023 L.I. 2477.

Some notable sports federations that practised or existed before 2019 and are affiliated with international sports federations with notable ones like Para Table Tennis, Boccia Para Sports, Amputee Football Association, Para Soft, Para Teqball, Para Judo, and Adaptive Boxing.

“Per the constitutional amendments, all recognized disability sports must register and be members of the NPC Ghana by default” said the President.

Meanwhile Mr. Samson Deen has declared his intention to go for re election to sustain the achievements gained since he became president of Ghana and Africa.

During his tenure, Ghana hosted the first African Para Games and also the first ever Extraordinary Congress which was well attended.

The federations invited for the EGA include Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting, Sitting Volleyball / Para Volleyball, Shooting Para Sports, Para Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball, Para Badminton, Para Taekwondo, Para Cycling Federation and Wheelchair Tennis,

Others are Blind Sports Federation, Cerebral Palsy Sports, Blind Football, Adaptive Boxing, Boccia Sports, Para Biathlon, Wheelchair Rugby, Para Archery, Wheelchair Softball, National Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Assoc. of Ghana, Amputee Football Association of Ghana and Para Table Tennis.

By Sammy Heywood Okine