Armwrestling is fast gaining popularity across the African continent and it made its at this year's 13^th  African Games.

In the women's 60kg category, it was an all Ghana affair in the final with Blessing Abeka ending her compatriot Phildaus Bukari for the gold.

In the women's 65kg category, Beninois Marie Laleye made easy work of Ghanaian Roselyn Lartey in the final to claim the gold.

Nigerian Mausi Zannu pulled her Ghanaian opponent Rachel Lankai Lankai to win the first gold medal in this year's Armwrestling event at the African Games - Accra 2023.

Zannu won the gold in the women's 55kilogramme (kg) final after pulling Lankai's arm down in the left arm contest.

Lankai came second, winning Ghana's third silver medal at this African Games.

Her compatriot, Mabel Yeboah also came third winning a bronze medal in the same category.

Action is still ongoing with left hand contests with the men yet to reach the medal conests.

Results;

Women 55kg

Mausi Zannu (Nigeria) - gold

Rachel Lankai (Ghana) - silver

Mabel Yeboah (Ghana) - bronze

Women 60 kg

Blessing Abeka (GHANA)- gold

Phildaus Bukari (GHANA) - silver

Eugenia Ntow (GHANA) - bronze

Women 65kg

Marie Laleye (Benin) - gold

Roselyn Lartey (GHANA) - silver

55kg men final

Omar Ibrahim (Egypt) - gold

Daniel Acquah (Ghana) - silver

Sanaa Abdul Somed (Ghana) - bronze

Men 60kg final

Mohammed Elmeligly (Egypt) - gold

Henry Otoo (Ghana) - silver

Abdul Issahak (Ghana) - bronze

90kg men

Edward Asamoah (Ghana)- gold

Patrick Anzoye – Silver

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Stanbic Bank Ghana has presented the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the African Games - Accra 2023 a cheque of GHS200,000 to supplement the government's efforts in organizing the Games.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Stanbic Bank Ghana, Mr. Kwamina Asomaning, said at the presentation ceremony that they are happy to join the LOC to put Ghana on the map through the African Games.

He expressed that the values of sports align with the vision of the bank, particularly in the area of socio-economic development.

"Ghana is looking forward to promoting sport on the continent, which is worth supporting. We are aware that the government would need some support to be successful with the Games, hence the need to augment what the government and stakeholders have invested in the Games," he added.

He also mentioned the bank's commitment to the development of sports, citing Stanbic's investment in various sporting disciplines including swimming, tennis, and volleyball.

He said their support for the African Games was timely as it provided the opportunity for the bank to diversify its focus.

"We are grateful for the opportunity and look forward to ensuring that Ghana restores its dominance in sports," he added.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, on behalf of the LOC and the government, expressed appreciation to Stanbic Bank for the timely intervention.

He noted that the support came at a time when the state was about to pay the per diems of Ghanaian athletes, and it would go a long way to assist in that regard.

"We have over 500 athletes from Team Ghana to be taken care of as we look forward to winning more medals at the competition," he revealed.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Dr. Chris Jenkins OBE, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation who is in Accra, Ghana for the 13th African Games on Monday paid a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Truru II.

He was received and welcomed by the Abola Manste, Nii Ahene Nunoo III, Akanmajen Manste, Nii Ayi Kai III, the Nai Wulomo, Chief Priest and other elders in the absence of the Ga Mantse.

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Commonwealth Games Ghana (CGA) led the Commonwealth Games delegation which included CEO of CGF Madam Katie Sadleir, Vice President of CGF, Col. Botsang Tshenyego, , President of Commonwealth Games Namibia and Ezera Tshabangu, Regional Development Manager, Africa & Europe.

Mr. Nunoo Mensah said as custom demands and a show of respect, they have to meet the elders of the land of Accra, the capital city of Ghana.

Dr. Jenkins called for peace and unity among Commonwealth nations and creation of opportunities for every country to change the mindset and encourage development.

He said the historic visit has been positive and worthwhile because he held very important meetings and strategic workshop with CGF members in Africa and board of Commonwealth Games Association of Ghana.

The Abola Mantse who is Chief Counsel of the Ga Manste appealed to the CGF to consider Ghana to host the first Commonwealth Games in Africa.  He expressed that sports creates development and international games break racism.

"Let's use sports to unite the world" he expressed.

He also urged the CGF and members of the Commonwealth to vote for Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway who is vying for the Secretary General position in the Commonwealth.

The Nai Wulomo, Chief Priest, Nuumo Always Mensah III poured libation and prayed for the CGF and peace in the world at large as well as the CGA leadership and decorated the CGF delegation with Hyssop which has spiritual powers for humans.

The elders of the Ga state presented Dr. Jenkins with a carving symbolising unity, while he reciprocate d with a special Commonwealth Timer to the Council. It was received by Nii Ayikai III.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Eritrea continues to dominate in the Cycling event of the 13^th African Games at Ablekuma winning more Gold medals.

The Pen Ultimate event, individual Time Trial was yet again dominated by the Red Sea Carmels in both the men's and women's category in splendor.

The Men's Team Time Trial encompassed a distance of 50km over 4 laps and recorded an average speed of 49.6km/hr.

Eritrean quarter of Tsegay Dawit, Merhawi Kudus Ghebremedlein,Milkiyas Maekele Hayle and finished with Gold in a time of 01:00:26 leaving behind them South Africa and Mauritius in a respective time of 01:00:31 and 01:02:10. 62 male riders participated in the Team Time Trials but with Algeria and Tanzania dropping off.

Ghana came through the 9th position in a respectable time of 01:10:11.

In the Women's category, 34 riders took part with Eritrea once again establishing their superiority with a time of 00:52:31 , followed by South Africa in 00:52:39 and Mauritius coming through the third spot in 00:54:28.

The Ghanaian ladies glittered in 8th position in a time of 00:54:28.

Dennis Kweku Moore

The Ghana Armwrestling President, Mr. Charles Osei Asibey promised to win at least 15 medals at the ongoing 13^th African Games and they ended up with 41 medals comprising 8 gold, 19 silver and 14 bronze.

The players and officials were very happy for the remarkable achievement which has pushed Ghana into the top ten of the medals table.

Mr. Osei Asibey said the achievement is a pathway to the World Championship coming up later in the year in Accra.

He said the euphoria of Armwrestling is spreading very fast in Accra and that will bring attention and focus on the World Championship.

He commended the winners and urged them to train harder as the future is bright.

The Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif also congratulated the Ghana Armwrestling team for putting Ghana high on the medals table.

The Countries that took part in the Armwrestling competition include Benin, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Egypt, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Madagascar, South Africa, Togo and Ghana.

He said this 13^th African Games will be the best for Ghana since 1965.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Although the Ghana Cycling Association had many challenges ahead of the 13^th African Games, cycling was one of the events that attracted a lot of spectators at the Ablekuma, Olebu, Pokuase stretch.

As expected, Eritrea were the favourites and they won their races with style.

Other countries that did well were South Africa and Mauritius.

The Ghana team faced problems such us not getting the motivation, inspiration and not using modern bikes as well as enough training and exposure.

Mr. Mohammed Shanoon, General Secretary of the Ghana Cycling Association said as a nation Ghana should do better and more because cycling has many advantages and an avenue to win more medals in sports.

Miss Elizabeth Alhassan Gyamfi who has been supporting the organization of the Games said it had not been easy, however she has learnt a lot.

She appealed to the government to support the Ghana Cycling Association as their equipment is very expensive.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The draw for the Quarter Finals of the 2024 MTN Fa Cup comes up at the MTN Houseat Ridge, Accra on Tuesday March 19, 2024.

The draw will be shown live on Max TV and social media handles of the Ghana Football Association.

Defending Champions, Dreams FC will be in the pot for the draw alongside former winners, Bechem Utd, Legon Cities, Nsoatreman, Karela, Sky FC, Soccer Interlectuals and Bofoakwa Tano.

Representative of the clubs will join FA and MTN officials for the draw.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Hon. Evans Opoku Bobie, Deputy Minster of Youth and Sports has disclosed that the spirits of Ghanaian athletes at the Games Village are very high as they are poised to make names for themselves, family and the nation.

Speaking to the press at the media center of the 13th African Games sited at the University of Ghana Stadium, Hon Bobie who is Chairman of the International Games Committee revealed that about 350 athletes were selected by the various 26 federations and coaches to begin preparations.

He hinted that the welfare of the athletes was paramount, in a serene but friendly environment, so they were accommodated at Cape Coast fed and taken care of by three doctors, four nurses, six physiotherapists and physical trainers. There was also 24 hours run clinic and ambulance available.

He named the Universities of Cape Coast and Winneba as playing significant roles in the preparations.

The Deputy Minster expressed that the athletes who were camped will be paid their per diems of 1,000ghc a day, while medalists are going to get $3,000 for gold, $2,000 for silver and $1,000 for bronze.

"The morale and spirits of the athletes are very high, they are focused, positive and ready, we must focus on gold in football and athletics, after the great performance in armwrestling" he said.

Present at the press conference was LOC Chairman, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare who commended the media for promoting the Games. He reiterated that the new facilities at Borteyman would be maintained by the creation of the University for Sports for development and Business.

Chairman of Transport Committee Mr. Samson Deen contributed to the meeting to address transport issues. He said all vehicles operating for the 13th African Games have been insured.

Chairman of the Media Committee Mr. Dan Kweku Yeboah managed the meeting.

The Black Satellites and Black Princesses (Under20 football teams) have both qualified for the semi finals of the male and female football events.

The track & field begins on Monday, March 18 to 22.

Although Ghana will get stiff challenge from Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroun, Algeria, Morocco, Namibia and South Africa, the athletes are hopeful.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

After an amazing performance by Theo Allotey, Amadu, Henry Malm and Joseph Commey on Saturday the boxing action continues at the Bukom Boxing Arena on Sunday , March 17^th , 2024 with five Ghanaian boxers in action.

Sensational Mohammed Aryeetey, popularly called the Golden Star won over Nene Maonga of Zambia in the men's minimumweight quarter finals at 15:00 GMT.

Samuel 'Ring Warrior' Takyi will stopped Mehdi Bercham of Morocco in the men's light welterweight round of 16.

Black Hitter, Ramatu Quaye lost against Yasmine Mouttaki of Morocco in the women's light flyweight quarter final.

Adelaid Djabatey will meet Chadha Jlassi of Tunisia in the women's flyweight quarter finals.

Jonathan Tetteh aka ‘Worldwide’ who missed the opportunity to fight at the World Qualifiers for an Olympic Games slot will take on Peter Jabeji Pita of Congo DR in men's light heavyweight round of 16.

News reaching Yours Truly indicate that three Ghanaians including Abu Kamoko, son of legendary Bukom Banku are already in the medal zone.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

A new date and venue for the invasion of Kumasi by the Ashanti Warrior, Stanley Nyantekye for the Ghana featherweight championship against Emmanuel 'Akufo-Addo' Quartey has been set at the SG Mall on Tuesday 1 April, 2024 instead of the previously scheduled Easter Monday, still presented by Osibor Boxing Management and Promotions.

From Sammy Heywood Okine