Chosen Children of Darkuman emerged winners, Great James from Chorkor placed second, Shalom of Zion got third position while Enough Grace from Aworshie were forth at the ‘Dawn of the Orphanages’ Functional Sports Competition held at the Zulka Astro Turf at Dansoman in Accra.

They were involved in endurance, strength, speed, power tests with running, squatting, press jumps and sit ups for under 14 years and above 15 years.

All the ten selected representatives for the various Orphanages were committed to the course and willing to win. They were trained by qualified instructors for four months before the competition.

Before the competition all the orphans and instructors took part in an exciting aerobics session.

Mr. Charles Owusu Ansah, President of Functional Sports League Ghana was happy for another successful event which attracted a lot of the media.

He commended the participants especially the winners, saying the best athletes are being monitored and they will be selected for a bigger comfort.

He also hailed the technical officers who were also undergoing a training exercise.

Present was Nana Adu Mankatta, President of Sports For All Ghana who led team Ghana at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 13^th African Games and other fitness instructors and lovers of fitness.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

‘I could have stayed at Ajax but I don’t want to be complacent and comfortable,’ says Mohammed Kudus. Photograph: Shaun Brooks/Action Plus/Shutterstock

Some defenders bounce off Mohammed Kudus and most end up bewitched by his footwork. West Ham’s Ghanaian sensation is an intriguing mix of strength, skill and imagination. His technique makes him one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League but Kudus believes his steely edge owes much to his upbringing in Nima, a place that teaches you to stand up for yourself from an early age.

“Mentally it’s a very tough area,” he says. “You have to be very tough to live there. If you are soft people walk on you. It has an impact on how I play. In 50-50 challenges I don’t want to lose it. I work on my body and make sure I am very strong on the ball.”

Kudus, who has been outstanding since joining West Ham last summer, laughs when he remembers the football back home. “There are no rules over there!” he says. “It’s all in. You have to be very strong.”

Nima, a market town in the greater Accra region of Ghana, has a difficult reputation. “When you say Nima it’s like there’s a lot of violence happening there, it’s like a ghetto and you need to be street smart and tough to stay there,” Kudus says. He is out to change perceptions. “There’s a lot of professional players from there,” the 23-year-old adds. “It’s why I always keep mentioning where I come from. There can be talent as well.”

Kudus is a role model. He loves connecting with his roots but it is no longer possible for him to live his old life when he visits home. He is too famous to do normal stuff – “like going by the roadside to get some food” – but his heart is there. A mural of Kudus went up in Nima after he scored in Ghana’s win over South Korea in the 2022 World Cup; he does not feel weighed down by being a champion to so many.

Source footballghana

Awumey Nelson is a heavyweight boxer at the Bronx Boxing Gym. He has six amateur and one professional outing to his credit which he won all.

He told Yours Truly in an exclusive interview that he would love to represent Ghana at an international tournament like the African Championship, World Championship, African Games or Olympic Games.

“I did not hear of how selection was made to the national boxing team and how many entries we made for the weights. But for my weight I am guaranteed a medal because there are not many heavyweight boxers and I know I can win gold, I don’t think its too late am am ready for the 2024 Qualifier in Thailand as I heard” he said.

Coach Carl Lokko of the Bronx Gym said if he is contacted he will release him to join the national team, because everyone wants the best for the nation.

He said Abu Kamoko is a member of the Bronx Gym who represented Ghana and won a silver medal, “so we want our best boxers to be exposed and excel everywhere everytime.”

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Derek Nii Asai Ankrah starts full roll as Master Score Keeper of GBA

Derek Nii Asai Ankrah was at the DVLA-SCC at Weija on Saturday March 30, 2024 to play his roll as master score master of the Ghana Boxing Authority GBA following the sudden demise of ace veteran historian, the legendary Mr. J. A. Annan.

It was his first Fight Night after taking over fully the role of Master Score Keeper, from the great and indefatigable teacher and coach, the late Mr J.A. Annan.

Derek said on his social media “Uncle JA wherever you are, I say thank you, cos it was cool and collected. Delivered a good job as a Master Score Keeper.

Boxing is my next big thing!!!

Derek Ankrah, a Banker, is a member of the GBA Communications and Media Team.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Bergins Outreach, a trailblazer in sports development, has launched a groundbreaking initiative to bolster tennis clubs across Ghana with essential equipment, including gear for the increasingly popular sport of pickleball.

In a move aimed at advancing sports development in the nation, Bergins Outreach has extended its support to several tennis clubs, including the St. Francis Tennis Club in Ashaiman, Adabraka Tennis Club, Ho Tennis Club, and Atomic Tennis Club. The donation encompasses a wide range of equipment, from rackets and tennis balls to shoes, apparel, and other essential materials crucial for training and fostering the growth of the sport.

Gina Asiedu-Ofei, CEO of Bergins Outreach, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting the global surge in pickleball's popularity. "Pickleball has captured the attention of nations worldwide, and we are thrilled to witness Ghana's embrace of the sport," she said. "Our objective is not only to nurture the talents of our youth but also to witness Ghana shine on the international pickleball stage."

Francis Mainoo, Head Coach of St. Francis Tennis Academy, conveyed his gratitude to Bergins Outreach for their consistent support, noting the positive impact on the club and its players. Similarly, Yaw Adjei Agyepong, Vice Chairman of Atomic Tennis Club, praised Bergins Outreach for their generous contribution, acknowledging its role in fostering the development of young players.

With Bergins Outreach's assistance, tennis clubs in Ghana are poised to enhance their training programs and compete at a higher level in both pickleball and tennis. This initiative marks a significant stride in the nation's sports development journey, highlighting the importance of community-driven efforts in nurturing athletic talent and fostering a culture of excellence.

From Enoch TV Africa Sports

Ghana Boxing was great at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, where Samuel Takyi won bronze for Ghana and Africa, however all has not been smooth for the Black Bombers, the national Boxing team of Ghana to make it to Paris 2024.

The seven Bombers who grabbed medals at the 13th African Games have shown that they can perform when given the opportunity so they must be prepared well to have the mentality of winning. They must be exposed and they must feel the experience.

Golden Bombers

Golden Warrior Samuel Takyi, Golden Star Mohammed Aryeetey, Golden Boy Amadu Mohammed and Golden Jaguar Joseph Commey, Silver star Abu Kamoko, Theophilus Allotey, bronze bomber and Janet Acquah (Hitter), the only female bronze medal winner must be given the chance to travel to Thailand and qualify for Paris 2024, because we need it. The event is between May 23 and June 3, 2024.

After the first World Olympic Boxing Qualifying Event in Italy, there is the second and last chance in Thailand and Boxing is going to be a real tough competition at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Qualifications

There are three qualification options for all National Federations during the process to get spots for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The qualification process will be finalized in the first days of June 2024, nearly two months before the start of the Olympics.

Europe

The European Games was the first qualifier for the Olympics in Poland and seventeen countries bagged at least one quota for Paris. Host of the next year’s Olympic Games, France, Turkey and Ireland were the most successful nations with their seven, six and five tickets to the French capital.

Africa

The African Olympic Boxing Qualifier was held in Dakar, Senegal on September 9-15, and it replaced the African Games.

Asia

The Asian Games was postponed from 2022 to 2023 to September. The first Asian Qualifier took place in Hangzhou, China from September 23 until October 7 and the number of the available quotas is 34.

PanAmerica

The strong Panamerican Games featured in Santiago de Chile at the end of October while the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands closed the continental qualifiers in November.

World

The first World Olympic Boxing Qualifier was held in North Italy, in Busto Arsizio, near to Milan between February 29 and March 12. Altogether 49 quotas (21 women and 28 men) found their owners in the first World Qualifier in Italy.

The second World Olympic Boxing Qualifier is in Thailand’s capital to Bangkok between May 23 and June 3. The remaining 51 quotas will be shared between the six women and seven male weight categories in Bangkok.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

There would be exciting MTN FA Cup action this weekend Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31, 2024 as the quarter-finals of the 2023/24 MTN FA Cup takes center stage of sporting activities.

The draw which was held at the MTN House promises intense competition and high stakes on board.

The FA Cup Committee Chairman, Mr. Wilson Arthur who owns Skyy FC said clubs competing in the quarter-finals earned the place through merit, not luck.

"When your fundamentals are weak, the MTN FA Cup will expose you; that is the essence of this competition. It is a true test of form and skill."

The victorious team in the 2023/2024 MTN FA Cup will secure the opportunity to represent Ghana in the CAF inter-club competition in the following season.

Nsoatreman FC meet Karela United on Saturday at the Nana Kromansah Park while Legon Cities face Bechem United at the Theater of Dreams on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, Bofoakwa Tano clash with Skyy FC, last season’s semi-finalists at the Sunyani Coronation Park.

Dreams FC’s game against Soccer intellectuals has been postponed due to their CAF inter-club commitments.

Mr. Arthur has highlighted the tournament's role in revealing clubs with weak foundations.

He stresses that the MTN FA Cup consistently exposes teams lacking in fundamental strength.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ms. Deborah King, the first daughter of famous American boxing promoter, Don King has signed 11 year old Ghanaian sensation, Prince Larbie of Prince De Henry Educational Complex and Will Power Boxing Gym at James Town in Accra for the next three years.

Also called "The Buzz", Prince, a royal whose dad is a chief of Manhea at Ablekuma and coach said he is very excited and hope for the best to put himself high and his nation, Ghana.

As part of the deal, Deborah King and partners will look for sponsorship and offer the juvenile boxer a scholarship to study n the USA and also find sponsorship from big American sports companies for him.

Deborah King was born to boxing legend Don King and his late wife Henrietta King in 1961 in Cleveland, Ohio.  Growing up with notable public figures, Deborah was overwhelmed by the “daily plethora of new experiences.”  Following high school, Deborah enrolled at Baldwin Wallace College where she was a member of the National Honor Society and Sigma Gamma ho Sorority, until she transferred to the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Deborah graduated from Jay College in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Forensic Science.  In September 2014, Deborah earned a Masters in Mental Health Counseling from South University.

She represents professional athletes and celebrities as a preeminent international sports and entertainment manager.

After graduation, Dr. D. King assisted her father as a consultant at Don King Productions.  She later became a sports manager for various boxing champions and went on to become the youngest recipient of the “Manager of the Year” award from the International Boxing Federation.  Switching gears, Deborah became an entertainment manager and founded Deb-b King Management which managed both entertainers and professional athletes.  Dr. D. King was an instrumental force in the Ice Breaker Tour, featuring the late Tupac Shakur, The Ghetto Boys Reunion Tour, and Bad Boy Entertainment Tour (featuring Notorious BIG) in Cleveland, Ohio.

As a Board-Certified National Recovery Coach and Interventionist, Dr. D King founded Limitless Life Recovery and Holistic Group.

Through Limitless Life Recovery, Dr. D. King is helping high profile individuals, star athletes and people from all walks of life overcome the demons of chemical and alcohol addiction as well as mental illness.  She evaluates each client’s situation, assesses the degree of severity, and formulates a plan to help them find the inner strength to solve their own problems.

Dr. D. King is also the President of It Takes A Life To Save A Life Foundation, Inc., a not for profit, 501c3 organization with a mission to promote the preservation of life and to help those in need through comprehensive management and treatment of mental health, addiction and recovery issues.

Dr. D. King earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from South University in Royal Palm Beach Florida and her Doctorate degree from Trinity International University of Ambassadors in Duluth Georgia.  Dr. D King is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from President Donald Trump as well as Humanitarian award from Trinity International University of Ambassadors as an outstanding leader for her visionary guidance, exceptional leadership and world class humanitarian service.

Dr. D King currently serves as a member of the Ashtabula County Community Corrections Board. Deborah’s intense passion and love for people has caused her to dedicate her life to being a change agent for the perseverance of life one person at a time.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Sensational Stanley Nyantekyi who loves to be called the ‘Ashanti Warrior’ has extended an invitation to boxing fans in Kumasi to come and watch his maiden bout in the garden city against veteran Emmanuel Quartey aka ‘Akuffo Addo’ for the national featherweight title.

The fight dubbed BOXFEST which is staged by Osibor Promotions comes off on April 2, 2024 at the the SG Mall, Kumasi.

“Please allow me to use your massive platforms to invite my Ashanti brother and sisters to come and watch. Friends and fans can also follow me on my social media handle” Ashanti Warrior said.

According to Mr. Gordon Frimpong, CEO of Osibor Promotions, they strategically want to stage the fight in Kumasi for Ashantis who love boxing and to encourage more boxers from the region to hit the limelight.

He promised a good night of action with boxing entertainment, as boxing fans will have mush to cheer about.

“Grab a ticket and let’s make this Easter Boxing Show a memorable one in the Ashanti Kingdom” he expressed.

Yours Truly was at the Bronx Boxing Gym on Thursday to see the Warrior put finishing touches to his preparations, sparring with WBO Africa Champion, John Laryea, John Zile and others and he assured his fans nothing than victory.

“I am very sure I will win by a knock out, because I am in good form and ready to win my second and important title” he said.

Nyantakyi (8-1-1) already holds the Lions Boxing Organisation (LBO) title belt and he said that pushed him high to fast recognition, however he needs the national title and from there move to other titles.

“I have already promised to win a world title and this is the step towards the big dream” he expressed.

Coach Carl Lokko said Nyantakyi is ready, focused and in top shape for battle.

“This is another good test and we hope to pass and move to bigger titles” he said.

Emmanuel Quartey (25-11-1) a former featherweight champion is also coming to rebuild his career.

Crack boxers like John Zile, Daniel Gorsh, Bismark Saah, Emmanuel Otoo, Jacob Dickson, Sampson Solomon and Jon Power will feature in the supporting bouts.

Tickets are pegged at 50gh for VIP and 30gh for Regular.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana midfielder, Edmund Addo has indicated that it was disappointing when he missed out on a place in the Black Stars squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

Despite the disappointment, the player says he was happy for his compatriots who made the Black Stars squad for the tournament in Ivory Coast.

“Not making it to the African Cup of Nations was a bit disappointing for me because you know almost every player would love to play in the Nations Cup, World Cup, Champions League etc. But all being good I was happy for my colleagues who made it and I supported them massively,” Edmund Addo said.

The midfielder this month made a return to the national team for the friendly matches against Nigeria and Uganda.

Speaking on his return to the Black Stars, Edmund Addo said it’s always a joy for him to wear the national colours.

"Honestly my joy is not about returning to the Black Stars but rather wearing the national colours and representing my motherland has always been amazing and emotional for me,” the midfielder said as quoted on GHANAsoccernet.