by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 16, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana
Ghana’s Derrick Macaire is making waves as one of the finest referees in global combat sports.
After undergoing extensive training programs in Ghana and across Africa, Derrick has reached the international stage, officiating major events. Currently, he is in Indonesia, participating in the prestigious World MMA International event.
Recognized as Ghana’s leading referee in combat sports, Derrick aspires to rank among the best worldwide. He shared in an interview that his journey isn’t just about personal achievement but also about representing Ghana and Africa on the global scene.
With his experience in officiating Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts, and more, Derrick plans to share his expertise in Africa to inspire and educate others.
“I truly enjoy what I do, and I’m thrilled it has opened doors for me globally. My late grandfather, Col. Sharp, a pioneer in Ghanaian combat sports, inspires me to push forward,” he said.
Beyond refereeing, Derrick is also a teacher, a farmer, and an avid sports enthusiast. He believes in nurturing diverse talents and creating opportunities for everyone to excel.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 16, 2024 | Ghana, International, Other Sports
Ghana’s rising swim talent, Nubia Adjei, showcased her potential in the women’s 50m backstroke at the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Budapest, Hungary. The 21-year-old clocked 29.87 seconds, finishing fifth in her heat and placing 43rd overall in the highly competitive field.
Adjei, who also competed in the 100m backstroke earlier in the championships, has demonstrated Ghana’s growing presence in global swimming. While falling short of the semi-finals, her participation marks a significant step forward in her young career.
The championships, hosted at Budapest’s iconic Danube Arena, bring together elite swimmers worldwide, and Adjei’s performance underscores her determination to improve and make her mark in future competitions.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 12, 2024 | Boxing, Nigeria, Other Sports
Two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is set to make his highly anticipated return to the octagon against French rising star Nassourdine Imavov.
Brazilian contender Caio Barralho recently disclosed that Adesanya chose to fight Imavov instead of him following negotiations between both camps.
The fight will headline the UFC’s first-ever event in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for February 2025, marking Adesanya’s first non-title bout since defeating Anderson Silva in February 2019.
‘The Last Stylebender’ aims to bounce back after back-to-back losses, including a submission defeat to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in August 2024. Despite recent setbacks, Adesanya remains one of the sport’s most celebrated athletes, with an impressive 24-4 record, including 16 knockout wins.
At 35, the Nigerian-New Zealander is already gearing up for what many see as a strategic matchup designed to regain momentum in the division. A victory over Imavov could pave the way for potential rematches against Sean Strickland or du Plessis, reigniting Adesanya’s pursuit of a historic third middleweight title reign.
The event, part of Riyadh Season’s ambitious sports program, highlights Saudi Arabia’s increasing presence in global sports. For Adesanya, the fight is a chance to reaffirm his legacy as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 12, 2024 | Nigeria, Other Sports
The Nigeria Customs Service women’s volleyball team delivered a stellar performance, defeating the defending champions, CNS Spikers, 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-19), in a high-energy clash at the Moshood Abiola Stadium indoor sports hall in Abuja.
This victory marks a significant milestone for the former champions, putting them in a strong position to reclaim the prestigious 2024 Comptroller General of Customs Volleyball Premier League title.
CNS Spikers, entering as defending champions, struggled to counter Customs’ aggressive attacks and formidable defence. Despite their efforts, the Spikers were outplayed as Customs dominated all three sets with precision and confidence.
Samuel Onikeku, Sports Secretary of the Nigeria Customs Service, commended the team’s exceptional display of skill and focus.
“This is a significant step toward reclaiming our title,” Onikeku stated. “The players exhibited remarkable teamwork and discipline. They stayed focused and executed our game plan perfectly, even under pressure from CNS Spikers’ attempted comebacks.”
Onikeku highlighted the importance of mental preparation in the team’s success.
“We’ve emphasized mental strength throughout this journey. Staying composed under pressure was key today, and the team delivered excellently. It’s evident they’ve been working hard both physically and mentally.”
Looking ahead, Onikeku expressed optimism about the rest of the tournament.
“We’re not stopping here. The technical crew and players are dedicated to maintaining this momentum. With continued discipline and effort, we’re confident about achieving our ultimate goal—winning the title.”
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 12, 2024 | International, Nigeria, Other Sports
Nigeria has officially won the bid to host the 2026 edition of the prestigious All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), a biennial continental ladies’ golf championship. The event, which began in Zimbabwe in 1992, will mark its 18th edition when it returns to Nigeria for the third time.
Previously, Nigeria hosted the AACT in 1996 at the Ikoyi Club 1938 and again in 2010 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja. The upcoming 2026 edition will be held in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which met all the requirements for hosting.
Evelyn Oyome, President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, led the nation’s delegation during the bidding process at the championship’s 16th edition in Morocco. She highlighted that Nigeria’s success in hosting the West and Central Africa Challenge Trophy in 2023 at Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate, Lagos, gave the country a competitive advantage over 20 other bidding nations.
The 2026 AACT is expected to attract participation from no fewer than 30 countries, providing a platform to showcase Nigeria’s golfing facilities and promote the country on a continental stage.
The most recent edition of the AACT, held in Agadir, Morocco, saw the host nation’s women’s team claim their first victory, ending South Africa’s dominance of 14 wins in 15 editions.
