by Silas Boahene | Jul 25, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Ghana, Other Sports, Soccer
Pius Hadzide, Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), has acknowledged delays in the construction of the flagship Youth Resource Centres due to challenges that have led to increased prices of goods. He made this statement during a media meeting alongside Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, and Deputy Minister Evans Bobie Opoku to discuss pressing sports-related issues.
Echoing the sentiments of Minister Mustapha Ussif, Hadzide highlighted financial difficulties as a key factor in the delay of some centre completions. “We are hopeful that within the coming months, we should commission the five other projects and then we can put them to use. Regarding costs, as you know, the Phase Two contract was signed in 2020. Due to certain challenges, work was delayed, requiring us to adjust for variations because prices have changed.”
He added, “We are in the process of completing the variations, and I would prefer to wait until these processes conclude to determine the real costs. The Public Procurement Authority will soon approve the variations.”
The NYA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports have faced criticism for seemingly neglecting nearly completed projects, which have suffered significant damage.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 25, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Mustapha Ussif, the Minister of Youth and Sports, has refuted claims that the Ministry owes all hotels used to accommodate athletes and officials during the 2023 African Games. In a recent media briefing, he clarified several issues, including those related to the Norway Scandal and the construction of Youth Resource Centres.
Addressing the Norway Scandal, the Minister disclaimed responsibility for the incident involving individuals who allegedly impersonated para-athletes to represent Ghana at a marathon in Norway, where they later absconded.
Regarding reports of hoteliers threatening legal action over unpaid bills for the 2023 African Games, Minister Ussif stated, “We engaged 44 hotels during the African Games, and as we speak, only 28 of them are still owed by the Ministry. The rest have been fully paid. The report [of non-payment of bills to hotels] is not accurate. Of the 28 we still owe, all have received more than 40% of their payments, and as soon as we receive funding, the remaining payments will be settled.”
Ghana achieved a record of 69 medals at the 2023 African Games.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 25, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Hasaacas Ladies Football Club has been placed in the WAFU Zone B Group B alongside teams from Niger, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso. The draw, held on July 24 at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, sees the Sekondi-based club facing Burkina Faso’s Omnisports Etincelle, Nigeria’s Edo Queens, and Niger’s AS Garde National in the preliminary stage of the continental championship.
The top two teams from Group B will advance to the main competition, where South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns are the defending champions. Hasaacas Ladies, who finished second in the inaugural edition of the Champions League after losing to Sundowns in the final in Morocco, will begin their campaign on August 11 against Omnisports Etincelle, followed by matches against Edo Queens on August 14 and AS Garde National on August 17.
In addition, WAFU Zone B includes Cote D’Ivoire’s Inter D’Abidjan, AS GNN of Benin, and Ainonvi FC of Togo, all competing for a qualification spot.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 25, 2024 | Uncategorized
Usain Bolt Inspired My Athletic Journey, Says Ghanaian Sprinter Benjamin Azamati
Ghanaian sprinter Benjamin Azamati has revealed that legendary sprinter Usain Bolt was a major inspiration for his journey into athletics. In an interview with Supersport ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Azamati shared how watching Bolt compete motivated him to pursue a career in the sport. The Olympics will take place from July 26 to August 11.
Reflecting on his experience at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Azamati expressed his excitement about competing in his second Olympics and representing Ghana once again. The Ghanaian national record holder credited Usain Bolt, who holds the world record of 9.58 seconds, as a key influence in his athletic career.
“Every athlete wants to be like Usain (Bolt). His hard work and dedication to the sport have been inspiring, and watching him motivated me to become the athlete I am today,” Azamati said.
Azamati is part of Ghana’s Men’s 4×100 Relay Team, which aims to improve its seventh-place finish from the Tokyo Games in 2020. Joseph Paul Amoah, Ghana’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony, is also a member of the relay team.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 25, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Europe, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Other Sports, Soccer
Opening Ceremony:
Archery:
- July 25 to August 4: Invalides
Artistic Gymnastics:
- July 25 to August 4: Bercy Arena
Artistic Swimming:
Athletics:
- August 1-11: Stade de France (track and field)
- August 1-11: Trocadero (race walks)
- August 1-11: Invalides (marathons)
Badminton:
- July 27 to August 5: La Chapelle Arena
3Ă—3 Basketball:
- July 30 to August 5: La Concorde
Basketball:
- July 27 to August 11: Pierre Mauroy Stadium (group phase)
- July 27 to August 11: Bercy Arena (finals)
Beach Volleyball:
- July 27 to August 10: Eiffel Tower Stadium
Boxing:
- July 27 to August 10: North Paris Arena and Roland-Garros Stadium
Breaking:
Canoe Slalom:
- July 27 to August 5: Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium – Whitewater
Canoe Sprint:
- August 6-10: Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium – Flatwater
Cycling BMX:
- July 30 to August 2: La Concorde (freestyle)
- July 30 to August 2: BMX Stadium (racing)
Cycling Mountain Bike:
- July 28-29: Elancourt Hill
Cycling Road:
- July 27 to August 4: Pont Alexandre III (time trials)
- July 27 to August 4: Trocadero (road races)
Cycling Track:
- August 5-11: National Velodrome
Diving:
- July 27 to August 10: Aquatics Centre
Equestrian:
- July 27 to August 6: Chateau de Versailles
Fencing:
- July 27 to August 4: Grand Palais
Football:
- July 24 to August 10: Bordeaux Stadium, Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, La Beaujoire Stadium, Lyon Stadium, Marseille Stadium, Nice Stadium
- Finals: Parc de Princes
Golf:
- August 1-10: Le Golf National
Handball:
- July 25 to August 11: South Paris Arena (group stage)
- July 25 to August 11: Pierre Mauroy Stadium (knockout phase)
Hockey:
- July 27 to August 9: Yves-du-Manoir Stadium
Judo:
- July 27 to August 3: Champ-de-Mars Arena
Marathon Swimming:
- August 8-9: Pont Alexandre III
Modern Pentathlon:
- August 8-11: North Paris Arena (ranking round)
- August 8-11: Chateau de Versailles
Rhythmic Gymnastics:
- August 8-10: La Chapelle Arena
Rowing:
- July 27 to August 3: Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium – Flatwater
Rugby Sevens:
- July 24-30: Stade de France
Sailing:
- July 28 to August 8: Marseille Marina
Shooting:
- July 27 to August 5: Chateauroux Shooting Centre
Skateboarding:
- July 27 to August 7: La Concorde
Sport Climbing:
- August 5-10: Le Bourget Climbing Venue
Surfing:
- July 27 to August 4: Teahupo’o, Tahiti
Swimming:
- July 27 to August 4: Paris La Defense Arena
Table Tennis:
- July 27 to August 10: South Paris Arena
Taekwondo:
- August 7-10: Grand Palais
Tennis:
- July 27 to August 4: Roland Garros
Trampoline Gymnastics:
Triathlon:
- July 30 to August 5: Pont Alexandre III
Volleyball:
- July 27 to August 11: South Paris Arena
Water Polo:
- July 27 to August 11: Aquatics Centre, Paris La Defense Arena
Weightlifting:
- August 7-11: South Paris Arena
Wrestling:
- August 5-11: Champ-de-Mars Arena
Closing Ceremony:
- August 11: Stade de France
