by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 30, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Other Sports
The 2nd Annual “Big Mo” Invitational Tennis Tournament, organized by the Donkor Tennis and Education Foundation (DTEF), recently filled Ayi Mensah with the vibrant energy of young talent and community spirit. Over four days, players aged 10 to 21 competed for a share of the $5,000 prize pool, with the event supported by sponsors such as Lisa O’Connor and the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC).
Michelle Donkor, co-founder of DTEF, shared her pride in the progress of the young athletes. “The improvement this year has been phenomenal,” she remarked, observing how players have grown in skill and confidence.
While some adjustments, like age-specific categories, sparked discussion among families, Michelle sees these changes as vital to fostering fair play. “We want the kids to compete with integrity,” she noted, emphasizing the Foundation’s mission to set new standards for youth tennis in Ghana.
Foundation founder and former Davis Cup star Isaac Donkor views the tournament as a crucial opportunity for young athletes in Ghana, where tennis resources are scarce. By introducing prize money, he hopes to help players cover essentials such as racquets and transportation. “The prize fund inspires a new level of competition,” he said, noting how players’ performance has soared since last year.
Beyond the court, the Foundation is committed to supporting education. Plans are in place to build an on-site classroom where players can study before training, reflecting the belief that tennis instills life lessons. “Education and parental involvement are key,” Michelle added, stressing the importance of holistic development for the youth.
Looking ahead, Isaac and Michelle envision a future where the Foundation hosts more tournaments and clinics, with dreams of seeing a player from their program compete in a Grand Slam someday.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 30, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Other Sports
The Tennis Foundation Ghana Open ITF J60, a prominent six-week tennis competition, concluded with thrilling performances from emerging young talents. British sensation Alisha Ndukwu claimed her second singles title of the year with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over Tunisia’s Lamiss Housa. “I feel I’m playing my best tennis and improving with each match,” Ndukwu shared, looking ahead to her next challenge in Senegal.
In the boys’ singles final, Nigeria’s Prosper Ikenna Okonkwo triumphed over fellow Nigerian Daniel Adeleye in a closely contested match, winning 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3. “It’s always special to play and win against my compatriots,” Okonkwo reflected, adding that he is setting his sights on upcoming ITF tournaments beyond Nigeria.
In the doubles competition, the Tunisian-Zimbabwean team of Lamiss Houas and Sasha Natalie Chimedze captured the girls’ doubles title with a 6-2, 6-2 win over the British pairing of Alisha Ndukwu and Grace Chiwinke. The boys’ doubles title went to Nigerian duo Prosper Okonkwo and Joseph Franklin Jimoh, who defeated Belgium’s Jules Dannevoye and Louis Mouffe 6-3, 6-1.
Supported by Tennis Foundation Ghana, Égalité Sports Bar and Restaurant, and Second Serve Tennis Shop, the tournament showcased top youth talent and offered a crucial platform for young players to compete at an international level.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 29, 2024 | Athletics, Ghana, Other Sports
The 2024 Afrofit Fitness Competition qualifiers will take place this Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Greystone Gym in Dansoman, Accra. Charles Owusu Ansah, President of the Functional Fitness Ghana Federation, announced that competitors who excel in the qualifiers will earn a place in the finals at Aburi Gardens, with a chance to claim the titles of Mr. and Ms. Afrofit.
In addition to the titles, winners will receive exciting prizes and a chance to qualify for the Functional Sports Tournament National Championship. Ansah emphasized the importance of fitness for a healthy lifestyle and encouraged widespread community participation.
He also highlighted that the Dansoman community is fortunate to have access to the well-equipped Greystone Gym, a premier facility for health and fitness training.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 29, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International, Other Sports
All six of Ghana’s Black Rockets, representing the nation at the IBA World Youth Boxing Championship, fell short of securing medals, despite strong performances. According to sources close to the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), the young boxers showed impressive skill, but ultimately faced narrow losses when results were announced.
In one case, Coach Charles Quartey sought clarity from officials, questioning the outcome of a match he believed his boxer had won. The decisions by referees and judges have prompted several experts in Ghanaian boxing to suggest that the GBF consider leaving the IBA for World Boxing, citing concerns about bias.
Coach Rashid Williams, also known as ‘Believer,’ voiced his frustration, asserting that the IBA often favors certain countries and boxers, compromising fair play and failing to reward the most deserving athletes.
The Black Rockets’ team included Francis Quartey, Desmond Pappoe, Levy Ankrah, Ebenezer Ankrah, Mathias Ashitey, and George Dowuona. GBF Vice President Alhaji Dauda Fuseni praised their efforts, insisting the young boxers performed admirably. Fuseni emphasized that the GBF remains committed to developing their skills and aims to secure international opportunities to further their growth.
“We will keep them together and train harder because they are all champions in their own right,” he affirmed.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 29, 2024 | Ghana, International, Other Sports
The ‘Game of Legends’ Taekwondo event, hosted by Maxi Lane Taekwondo Academy, is set to take place at the Korean Sports Complex in Tema Community 3 on Saturday, November 9, 2024, beginning at 8:00 AM. The event will feature a variety of Taekwondo competitions including Poomsea, weapons handling, sparring, and exciting demonstrations.
Participants, aged 7 to 12, will engage in age-based contests and will showcase skills in areas like Taekwondo aerobics, archery, quiz rounds, ladder & cone activities, refereeing, and commentary. Sensei Max Lee, the chief organizer and head of the Academy, emphasized the importance of this event in educating the public about the sport and cultural values of Taekwondo.
Sensei Lee has called on companies to support Taekwondo, highlighting its benefits in promoting discipline, self-defense, and physical fitness. He also encouraged media outlets to help increase visibility for Taekwondo in Ghana, as interest in the sport is steadily growing.
The event is supported by the Ghana Taekwondo Federation.
