by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 23, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Professional golfers from nine African countries, including Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, are gearing up for the 2024 Genser PGA Championship, scheduled to take place at the prestigious Celebrity Golf Club in Sakumono, Ghana.
This year’s championship, the 11th edition, marks a historic milestone with Genser Energy—a leader in sustainable energy solutions—serving as the event’s new sponsor. The four-day tournament, running from November 27 to 30, will feature three categories: regular professionals, seniors, and ladies.
The competition will adhere to the rules of golf as sanctioned by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, the United States Golf Association, and the local rules of the Celebrity Golf Club. The regular professionals will compete in a 72-hole stroke play format over four days, while the seniors and ladies will participate over three days.
With a total prize purse of GHS 411,000, anticipation is high among competitors, especially Ghanaian golfers who aim to reclaim the title from Nigeria’s Sunday Oladape, the reigning champion from the last championship at Damang.
Leading Ghanaian golfers, including Kojo Barnin, Vincent Torgah, Maxwell Owusu Bonsu, Augustine Mannaseh, and Lucky Ayisah—recent winners of the Memory Lane Qualifier and Ghana Open Tournament in Kumasi—are intensifying their training in preparation for the event.
Speaking ahead of the championship, Alhaji Ahmed Padori, Director of Operations at the PGA, expressed gratitude to Genser Energy for their sponsorship, emphasizing the significance of this partnership for the growth of professional golf in Ghana. He urged local golfers to prepare thoroughly while maintaining discipline throughout the event.
Rev. Akwasi Prempeh and Eric Henaku, the past and current tournament directors of the PGA, assured the public that extensive preparations are underway to ensure the event’s success. They also thanked Genser Energy and the leadership of Celebrity Golf Club for their support, encouraging all participants to deliver their best performances.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 23, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Ghana’s sole medalist (bronze) at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, Jessie Lartey, has expressed disappointment over the lack of recognition and celebration he has received since his achievement. The former Black Bomber, now a Sergeant with the Ghana Prisons Service, shared his sentiments during an exclusive interview at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
“Boxing is my life. I believe I’m a super-talented and skillful boxer, but after the 2018 Commonwealth Games, things didn’t go as I expected,” Lartey said.
Despite his challenges, the spirited sportsman remains optimistic. “I should have turned professional a long time ago, but I felt I had to help my country. Even though it hasn’t worked out as I hoped, I haven’t lost hope because I believe all is not lost,” he added.
A past SWAG Award winner, Lartey lamented the lack of public recognition. “When I go to public places, people don’t recognize or know me, and it makes me feel bad,” he admitted.
On the causes, he attributed blame to both the media and the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF). “I blame the media and the federation. They need to work together to appreciate and promote boxing and boxers.”
Discussing the state of Ghanaian boxing and the nation’s absence from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Lartey described the situation as dire. “Ghana should have improved upon the Tokyo 2020 achievement. The preparation was poor—there was no proper camping, attention, or supervision. As youth grow, they get different ideas, so the team needed better care.”
Now a professional boxer with an unbeaten record of five bouts, including three knockouts, Lartey is eager to take on bigger fights. He appealed to boxing promoters and managers for opportunities, citing his dream of becoming a world champion. “My idol is Professor Azumah Nelson. I want to prove that after him, Ghana has produced many great boxers.”
Lartey commended the Ghana Prisons Service for supporting his participation in the Ghana Professional Boxing League and other international competitions. He also praised his trainers and the Prisons Sports Office for their encouragement.
While acknowledging challenges within amateur boxing, Lartey noted positive developments in professional boxing through initiatives like the Ghana Professional Boxing League.
“Boxing fans should expect something big from Jessie Lartey. I want to be immortalized as one of Ghana’s great boxers,” he declared.
Jessie Lartey is set to feature on the November 22 event titled “Ghana Elections: Night of Boxing and Entertainment,” organized by SEM Promotions and Freezy Macbones Promotions. Coming from a boxing family, his elder brother, Jerry Lartey of the Ghana Armed Forces, is also a boxer, both trained under Ace Coach Lartekwei Lartey at the Fit Square Boxing Gym
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 21, 2024 | Africa, International, Nigeria, Other Sports
The inaugural NNPC/SNEPCo Swimming Competition concluded over the weekend at Ikoyi Club 1938, leaving parents, officials, and athletes thrilled. The event featured participants from various schools, including the IC Marlins Gang, competing in five age categories for both primary and secondary school students. Events included the 50m Fly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle, and Individual Medley for boys and girls.
Bala Wunti, Chief Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, represented by Edith Olubunmi Lawson, Deputy Manager of External Affairs, commended the competition’s success.
“At NNPC Ltd, we believe in the power of sports to inspire, build character, and shape future leaders. Swimming instills perseverance, discipline, and teamwork—values essential both in and out of the pool,” Wunti noted.
Ikedichi Kanu, Chairman of the Ikoyi Club 1938 Swimming Section, thanked the sponsors and announced plans to provide more competitive opportunities for the young athletes.
“We are excited, and the future looks bright for these talented swimmers,” Kanu said.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 21, 2024 | Africa, Nigeria, Other Sports
Badagry Angels triumphed in the Lagos U-15 Softball Championship, defeating Rak Angels 9-1 in the final held at the Badagry Grammar School playing field.
The five-day tournament, which commenced on November 11, showcased eight teams in a grassroots development initiative aimed at promoting softball among youths.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) Director-General Lekan Fatodu, represented by Travih Nunayon, emphasized the tournament’s role in advancing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision of inclusivity in sports. “We are working across the five divisions of the state to identify community-specific sports and provide platforms to nurture local talents,” he stated.
The championship followed six months of intensive training, with coaches collaborating with schools to form clubs, develop athletes, and sustain interest in the sport.
Saidi Olanrewaju, an LSSC board member, highlighted the initiative’s alignment with the THEMES Plus Agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration to enhance grassroots sports development.
Captain Ifeoluwa Oluwafemi of Badagry Angels expressed her ambition to compete professionally, saying, “I look forward to showcasing my talents internationally and playing among professionals.”
Rak Angels secured the second position, while Kosoko Team finished third. Individual accolades were awarded to Rak Angels’ Alia Olatunde (Best Catcher), SHS’s Koku Yemaise (Best Pitcher), and Badagry Grammar School’s Kuton Seseyon (Best In-Fielder).
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 21, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, International, Nigeria, Other Sports
Nigerian heavyweight boxer Efe Ajagba is being considered as a potential challenger for Daniel Dubois’ IBF world title. This follows confirmation that Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Dubois might be postponed until 2026.
The IBF has granted Dubois the option of an optional title defense against a top 15-ranked opponent before April 22, with Ajagba, currently ranked eighth and holding the WBC Silver title, emerging as a leading contender.
Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren, confirmed the champion would defend his title in February, with Ajagba being a possible opponent if Anthony Joshua, who is recovering from injuries, is unavailable.
Dubois, 27, who claimed the IBF belt after a dramatic fifth-round knockout of Joshua in September, boasts an impressive 21 knockouts in 22 wins. Ajagba has a similarly solid record, with 14 knockouts in 20 fights and only one loss.
The winner of a potential Dubois vs. Ajagba fight could be in line for a unification bout against the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury rematch, set for December 21 in Saudi Arabia.
