by Silas Boahene | Jul 31, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana
Fast-rising and explosive welterweight boxer George Faho Mensah will return to action at the Bukom Boxing Arena on Saturday, August 3, 2024, facing Raymond Kofi Ansah in the Ghana Professional Boxing League. Representing Panix Boxing Gym, Mensah is confident he will defeat Ansah to maintain his unbeaten record.
Samuel Darkwah, one of his managers at SP Sports, echoed this confidence and predicted a knockout, stating that Faho is in top shape and remains one of the best boxers on the local scene.
While other bouts are scheduled for the event, the highly anticipated match-up between Mensah and Ansah is a must-see for boxing fans. Mensah has called on his supporters from Agbobloshie, Chorkor, Korle Gonno, and other areas to come to the Bukom Boxing Arena to cheer him on.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 31, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Mr. Frederick Lartey Otu, President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation, congratulated young Taekwondo athletes who performed at the 14th Korea Ambassador’s Championship held at the Trust Sports Emporium in Accra. He emphasized the importance of the competition in identifying and grooming athletes for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, and encouraged those who excelled to work harder.
“We want to prepare young athletes for the Games, because they are the future,” he said.
Mr. Lartey Otu noted that Taekwondo has spread to every region in Ghana and highlighted the sport’s benefits for physical fitness and relationship-building. He received a citation from the Ghana Para Taekwondo Association for his contributions to their development and promotion.
The inter-regional championships, organized by the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) and sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, featured young athletes aged 13 to 17 competing in Kyorugi and Poomsae. Competitions included five weight categories for juniors and cadets, with athletes vying for medals, selection, and overall accolades.
James Sedoh was named best male junior player, while Zitta Tornyevah was the best female junior. Jayden Nettey won best male junior Poomsae, and Setorme Tornyeva won best female junior.
Greater Accra, led by Coach Fayise Selorm, amassed 185 points with nine gold, eight silver, and 12 bronze medals to place first. Volta Region came second with 72 points, Ashanti secured third with 68 points, Upper East placed fourth with 52 points, and Northern Region ranked fifth with 48 points. Other participating regions included Eastern, Bono, Upper West, Western, and Central.
Winners received hampers, medals, and certificates. HE Park Kyongsig, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, praised Taekwondo’s popularity in Ghana and its benefits for physical development and relationship-building. He promised to assist Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 Youth Olympics and looked forward to the 15th edition of the Korean Ambassador’s Championship.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 31, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Europe, International, Nigeria
Nigerian boxer Cynthia Temitayo Ogunsemilore has been disqualified from the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced on the evening of July 27 that a sample taken from Ogunsemilore tested positive for the banned substance furosemide, classified as S5 (diuretics and masking agents) under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List.
Ogunsemilore has been informed of the positive test and is temporarily suspended pending further investigation. This suspension prohibits her from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activities during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. She has the right to challenge the provisional suspension before the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and to request the analysis of the B sample.
This incident follows earlier disqualifications at the 2024 Olympics due to doping violations, including Polish high jumper Norbert Kobielski and Iraqi judoka Sajad Ghanim Sehen.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 31, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
FIFA referee Juliet Appiah has addressed the criticism she received after officiating the Hearts of Oak vs. Asante Kotoko match in the Democracy Cup. Despite facing backlash from fans of both teams, Appiah expressed satisfaction with her performance.
In an interview with Kessben FM, Appiah revealed that Hearts of Oak officials commended her for her officiating. “When a football team loses a game, the loser always complains. However, after the game, Hearts of Oak officials applauded me for such excellent officiating. I have not received any bad comments since officiating the game. Anyone who called applauded me for handling a game of such magnitude,” she said.
Appiah also highlighted the challenge of managing a high-profile match like Hearts of Oak vs. Asante Kotoko, emphasizing that it was an achievement to handle the game without any significant issues. “You know Kotoko and Hearts of Oak games are not supposed to be played at night, so for me to handle the game without any bad incident tells you I did well,” she added.
The Porcupine Warriors emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, thanks to goals from Justice Blay and Peter Amidu. The match, held at the Accra Sports Stadium on July 17, 2024, was part of the celebrations marking 30 years of parliamentary democracy in Ghana. As a result of their triumph in the inaugural Democracy Cup, Kotoko will face Major League Soccer side DC United in a future fixture, with the date to be announced by the organizers.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 30, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
German-born Ghanaian attacker Moritz-Broni Kwarteng has made a notable return to training with VfL Bochum following his recovery from a knee injury.
The 26-year-old, who had been sidelined for several months due to a partial tear of the medial ligament, joined his teammates during a training camp in Gais, South Tyrol, Italy, on Sunday.
Kwarteng is gradually easing back into full training, participating in limited activities and avoiding tackles or game simulations. He continued with individual workouts following the group session.
VfL Bochum’s head coach, Peter Zeidler, emphasized the need for patience, stating, “We still need to be patient with him” as Kwarteng reintegrates into the team.
Bochum is scheduled to play a friendly against Italian Serie B club Spezia Calcio on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Zeidler mentioned he would have “one night” to decide on the line-up and playing times, with managing the heat being a key consideration in their preparations.
