by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 3, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Other Sports
The Reformers Judo Club organized a highly successful mini-tournament for its members on Saturday, November 30, at the Ghana Prisons Training School, Roman Ridge, Accra.
The event, which ran from 10 AM to 4 PM, showcased competitive judo matches across multiple weight classes in the senior men, women, and junior boys and girls divisions.
In the senior men’s category, competitions were held in the below 60kg, 66kg, 73kg, 81kg, 90kg, and 100kg weight classes. For women, contests took place in the below 57kg, 70kg, and 73kg classes.
Thomas Kobina secured gold in the senior men’s below 60kg category, with Clinton Teye Gadugah taking silver and James Opoku winning bronze. In the below 66kg category, Frank Tekpor emerged as the gold medalist, Eugene Boateng Mensah earned silver, and Benjamin Agudoo took bronze.
The women’s open weight categories saw Evelyn Enyonam Dzato clinch gold in the below 57kg, 70kg, and 73kg classes, while Grace Antonia and Emmanuella Tindan Wuni won silver and bronze, respectively.
Junior participants also delivered thrilling performances, displaying significant talent and promise for the sport’s future in Ghana.
Guest Remarks
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Hon. Freda Akosua Prempeh, Member of Parliament for Tano North, commended the organizers for their efforts, particularly in promoting women’s participation. She stated, “It’s a laudable initiative. Watching these young people, especially the women, has been inspiring. This is my first close encounter with judo, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I encourage parents to nurture their wards’ talents, and the media should help raise awareness to grow the sport.”
Ken Arthur, President of the Ghana Judo Association, praised the athletes for their discipline and effort, congratulating them on their achievements.
Medal Winners
Gold: Thomas Kobina, Frank Tekpor, Evelyn Enyonam Dzato, Masawudu Muktar, Godwin Dadi, Baba Zakaria, Bernice Williams, Henry Kwesi Kodzi
Silver: Clinton Teye Gadugah, Eugene Boateng Mensah, Grace Antonia, Labib Mohammed, Zulriel Foli, Maxwell Ametepe, Maxwell Amekudzi, George Makafui Ayivor, Mavis Danso
Bronze: James Opoku, Benjamin Agudoo, Kaybee, Emmanuella Tindan Wuni, Yaya Hack, Malwin Adjoa Tetteh
The tournament was a resounding success and a significant step forward in promoting judo in Ghana, fostering youth engagement, and encouraging gender inclusivity in sports.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 2, 2024 | Ghana, Other Sports
Roger Adamah, a prominent figure at Genser Energy and an avid golfer, has called for increased support to introduce children to the game of golf. He urged parents and guardians to encourage their wards to take up the sport, emphasizing the importance of nurturing young talents to become future international champions.
Hans De Beer, the chairman of the organizing committee for the 11th Genser PGA Championship, welcomed Adamah’s proposal. De Beer, a passionate golf enthusiast and a mining manager at Goldfields Ghana, acknowledged the rise in women professionals in Ghanaian golf and highlighted the need for enhanced competitiveness across the continent.
Adamah, a former captain of Damang Golf Club and a member of the planning committee for the championship, expressed optimism about building a strong future for Ghanaian golf through youth development.
The 11th Genser PGA Championship, held at the Celebrity Golf Club in Sakumono, witnessed stellar performances. Lucky Annan Ayisah of the Achimota Golf Club emerged victorious with an impressive score of 277 points over four days. Thrilled by his triumph, Ayisah credited his success to hard work, determination, and divine guidance.
He received a cash prize of GHC 65,000, a prestigious trophy, and a hamper. Expressing gratitude to the planning committee, Ayisah vowed to continue striving for excellence and defending the coveted blue jacket in future tournaments.
Genser Energy, renowned for its sustainable distributed energy solutions, remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote sports and youth development.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 2, 2024 | Ghana, International, Other Sports
The Director of Operations for the PGA Ghana, Alhaji Ahmed Padori, has revealed that next year’s 12th edition of the PGA Championship will coincide with the association’s 50th anniversary, promising grand celebrations to mark the Golden Jubilee.
This year’s tournament introduced several new elements, including the participation of female professional golfers and representatives from countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria.
Senegalese golfer Oumy Dieye emerged victorious in the ladies’ category, taking home a cash prize of 15,000 GHC, along with a trophy and hamper. In the seniors’ category, seasoned champion Amos Korblah added another trophy to his collection and also won a prize of 15,000 GHC.
The four-day competition was highly competitive, delivering surprises as top contenders like 2023 runner-up Kojo Barmi (12th place) and 2023 champion Sunday Oladepo (11th place) from Nigeria failed to break into the top ten.
Alhaji Ahmed Padori commended the participants, especially the international players, for their excellent performance. He encouraged young professional golfers to remain disciplined and contribute positively to the sport’s growth. He also assured fans that next year’s Golden Jubilee celebrations will be spectacular.
Focus on Youth and Women in Golf
In a related development, Roger Adamah of Genser Energy emphasized the importance of introducing children to golf, urging parents and guardians to nurture young talent. He believes early grooming can produce future international champions.
Hans De Beer, chairman of the organizing committee for the 11th Genser PGA Championship, echoed these sentiments, noting the recent growth in women’s participation in professional golf and highlighting the need to prepare for stiff competition from other African nations.
Key Contributors to Golf Development
Roger Adamah, a former captain of Damang Golf Club and a planning committee member of the 11th Genser PGA Championship, is a passionate advocate for youth involvement in the sport. Similarly, Hans De Beer, a mining manager at Goldfields Ghana and a golf enthusiast, is committed to fostering the sport’s future.
Ahmed Padori, alongside tournament director Mr. Akwasi Prempeh, has played a significant role in advancing golf in Ghana. The duo hopes Genser Energy will continue sponsoring the PGA for the next decade.
Genser Energy, known for its sustainable distributed energy solutions, has been a key supporter of the PGA Championship.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 2, 2024 | Boxing, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Abigail Quartey, who clinched the WIBF Super Bantamweight Championship after defeating Sangeeta Birdi of the Umitef Kingdom on November 25, is aiming for greater success in her boxing career. Speaking on Omashi TV’s The Big Fight Night, Quartey revealed that her journey has been challenging, often marked by long breaks from training due to a lack of activity in the sport.
Quartey expressed immense gratitude to her coach, Ebenezer Adjei, popularly known as “Coach Killer,” for his guidance and support, which she credits for her recent triumph. She believes her victory will inspire more female boxers in Ghana to pursue their dreams.
Notably, Quartey draws inspiration from herself rather than external idols or favorite boxers. She called on the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) Women’s Commission, the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), and the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) to acknowledge her accomplishments and provide adequate support to inspire other athletes, especially female boxers.
With a professional record of 10 bouts, including 9 wins and just one loss—sustained in the UAE a week before her championship victory—Quartey is optimistic about her future, declaring, “The sky is bright for more success.”
Ghana’s first female professional boxer, Naa Yarley Achia Bronie I, also known as “Yarkor Chavez,” graced the Omashi TV studio to offer her blessings and advice. She encouraged Quartey to remain focused and obedient to her coaches, emphasizing these qualities as crucial for success in boxing.
Despite boxing’s significant contributions to Ghana, producing 11 world champions, fans and athletes alike feel the sport has not received adequate recognition from the government. Quartey’s victory is a reminder of the untapped potential within Ghanaian boxing, especially among women.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 2, 2024 | Boxing, Ghana, Other Sports
Joseph Commey, the newly crowned UBO Lightweight Champion, and his coach, Ebenezer Adjei, also known as “Killer,” have made a heartfelt plea to their supporters to avoid hooliganism and unnecessary confrontations after boxing events.
Speaking on Omashi TV last Friday, the duo expressed disappointment over incidents of unrest that occurred in Ga Mashie following Commey’s victory against Richmond Ashelley in a thrilling bout for the UBO Lightweight title.
Commey, a silver medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and gold medalist at the 2023 African Games, has rapidly risen to prominence. His victory in the IBA special tournament in Ethiopia secured him an opportunity to contest for a title in his first professional match, where he captivated fans with his skill and determination.
Coach Adjei emphasized that boxing is their livelihood, a source of business and entertainment, and urged fans not to tarnish the reputation of Ghanaian boxing. He encouraged those interested in fighting to channel their energy into the sport through proper training.
He credited the success of Black Panthers Gym to a strong work ethic and a relentless desire to excel. Adjei also highlighted his role in training fighters like Ben Ankrah, who defeated Stephen Coffie on the Ayitey Powers bill.
Commey, affectionately called “Jaguar,” dedicated his UBO title to Coach Adjei and the Black Panthers Gym, where he has trained since the age of five. He shared that his ultimate goal is to secure major titles, particularly the WBC belt, and expressed gratitude to Box Office Promotions for providing him the platform to begin his professional journey.
Commey acknowledged his toughest fight so far was against Ashelley due to its professional intensity and named Ryan Garcia as his favorite boxer.
On the same program, WIBF Champion Abigail Quartey expressed gratitude to Coach Adjei, attributing her success to his mentorship. Naa Naa Yarley Achia Bronie, popularly known as “Yarkor Chavez,” a trailblazer in Ghanaian female professional boxing, also appeared to congratulate the champions and inspire female boxers to remain focused and hardworking.
