by Silas Boahene | Apr 23, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Basketball, Ghana, International
The leadership of the Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) has commended their athletes for their remarkable performance during the 13th African Games in Accra.
Among the athletes, high jump gold medallists Rose Amoanimaa Yeboah and Evans Cadman Yamoah, along with Frederick Asante, Henry Horlali, and Dake Kabu, who demonstrated remarkable skills in basketball and won a silver medal for their outstanding teamwork, were singled out for praise.
In a statement released yesterday, GUSA extended congratulations to the entire Ghanaian team with special commendation to the GUSA members whose contributions played a pivotal role in elevating the nation’s sporting legacy.
“Over 90 per cent of the track and field athletes who represented our dear country Ghana were current and past GUSA members. There were also some GUSA members among the female football team that won the gold medal,” the statement read.
Acknowledging the technical expertise provided by GUSA, the statement emphasized the substantial contribution of GUSA-affiliated technical officials to the smooth conduct of the games.
The Ghanaian contingent’s unwavering determination, courage, and dedication were cited as key factors in their remarkable success, culminating in a total of sixty-nine medals.
The statement drew inspiration from Irish boxer and Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor, underscoring the fact that “only the strongest shoulders can carry the hopes of a nation.
by Silas Boahene | Apr 23, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
In a groundbreaking development, several top European clubs have shown keen interest in partnering with the Kenpong Football Academy, signaling a new era of collaboration aimed at enhancing player development and infrastructure.
The CEO of Kenpong Academy and renowned business figure, Kennedy Agyepong, recently concluded an extensive European tour where he finalized negotiations with clubs across France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Croatia, and Norway.
In an exclusive telephone interview, Mr. Agyepong, known in football circles as Kenpong, revealed that three prominent European clubs have already inked deals with the academy, with plans for further collaborations in the pipeline.
Among them, Bastia, the French club where Ghanaian icon Michael Essien first honed his talent in Europe, has committed to providing materials for the construction of a state-of-the-art AstroTurf pitch, alongside substantial financial backing for the Winneba-based academy.
In return, Kenpong Academy will facilitate the transfer of promising talents to Bastia and other European destinations.
Mr. Agyepong, excited at the promising prospects for the partnerships, said Bastia’s partnership would soon manifest when their promotional materials and marketing insignia become visible at Kenpong Academy, as the French team works towards strengthening the talent and infrastructure development of Kenpong Academy.
As part of plans to augment the technical department of Kenpong Academy, Bastia has assigned a top-class coach to oversee the technical department at the academy, highlighting their commitment to top talent development.
Kenpong expressed gratitude for the positive reception and support from the European clubs, emphasizing the endorsement of his vision for football development in Ghana. He specifically praised Bastia’s President, Claude Ferrandi, and the Technical Director, Eric Descombes, for their professionalism and hospitality during his visit.
“They are ready to travel far with us, and that has urged me on to go the extra mile. They accorded me preferential treatment, including VIP seating at the Strasbourg Stadium, and I was humbled by their show of respect and the professionalism they attached to our engagements,” he said.
The latest collaboration represents a significant milestone for Kenpong Academy, building on previous engagements with football giants such as Barcelona, as well as earlier tours of Spain and France with former Black Stars coach, Kwasi Appiah.
Kenpong emphasized that with backing from top European clubs, the academy was poised to propel Ghanaian football to greater heights, offering young players unparalleled opportunities for growth and success.
by Silas Boahene | Apr 23, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International
In an unprecedented display of sports diplomacy, boxing legend Azumah Nelson is gearing up to square off against the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, in an exhibition match scheduled for May 4 at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
The highly anticipated event, dubbed “Diplo Rumble: Empowering Youth Through Sports,” is set to be a highlight of the EU Month celebrations slated for May. Organizers aim to not only showcase the raw talent of young boxers from the famed Bukom neighborhood but also to underscore the role of sports in empowering the youth.
“The European Union Delegation to Ghana is proud to announce a series of events that will highlight the importance of youth and skills development in the European Union-Ghana partnership,” said Mr. Razaaly, the EU Ambassador to Ghana.
Apart from the boxing spectacle, the month-long celebrations will feature a range of activities aimed at fostering dialogue and collaboration between the EU and Ghana.
Notably, an annual partnership dialogue scheduled for May 6 will bring together key stakeholders from both sides, including Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, ambassadors of EU member states, and representatives from various government institutions such as the Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
Mr. Razaaly added that the dialogue would help address crucial topics such as trade, security, and sustainable development, with the overarching goal of strengthening the relationship between Ghana and the EU.
This would be followed by the annual Europe Day Reception, an event touted as one of the largest diplomatic gatherings in Accra, scheduled for May 9 at the EU Ambassador’s Residence in Accra.
by Silas Boahene | Apr 23, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Black Starlets head coach, Laryea Kingston, is adopting a forward-looking stance on the upcoming West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Zone B U-17 tournament, considering each participating team as a formidable contender.
Despite the advantage of playing at home, Kingston remains cautious, wary of the potential pitfalls of complacency. Drawn into Group A alongside tough rivals Cote d’Ivoire and Benin, Kingston underscores the importance of not underestimating any opponent at the May 15 – 28 tournament.
“Every team competing in the tournament is a potential winner,” declared Kingston, underlining the level of respect his team holds for their opponents. “We respect every country that will be playing at the tournament. Each participant is a potential winner. So, we respect everyone. But we’re ready,” Kingston told ghanafa.org.
The sub-regional tournament serves as a significant test for Kingston, who was recently appointed head coach with the task of rebuilding the Starlets into a formidable force on the international stage.
The coach’s sentiments reflect a mindset of cautious optimism within the Black Starlets camp. Despite acknowledging the strength of their opponents, he stressed the readiness of both the technical staff and the players to face the challenges ahead.
“The technical team and the players are all ready for the tournament. And we’ll take it a match at a time,” Kingston affirmed, signaling the team’s commitment to approaching each game with determination and focus.
With the tournament scheduled to kick off on May 15 in Accra, the Black Starlets are poised to showcase their talent and determination on the pitch. Kingston’s words convey a sense of preparedness and determination, indicating that his team is primed for the challenges that lie ahead.
by Silas Boahene | Apr 23, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The head coach of Ghana Premier League outfit, FC Samartex 1996, has urged the management of the Black Stars, Ghana’s senior national football team, to reconsider their reliance on overseas talents and to look towards the abundant talent pool within the local league when assembling squads for international tournaments.
In an exclusive interview with Graphic Sports last Friday, Coach Nurudeen Amadu expressed concern over the frequent oversight of many talented players in the domestic league by national selectors. He emphasized that these local players possess the potential to significantly bolster the national team and thus merit serious consideration.
The coach, whose team currently leads the topflight league, highlighted the reliability and quality of certain local players such as Nations FC centre-back, Razak Simpson, and RTU striker, Alhassan Mankuyeli, as examples of home-based stars who could seamlessly integrate into the Black Stars setup.
While acknowledging the prerogative of the national team management in player selection, Coach Nurudeen voiced disappointment at the limited opportunities afforded to local talents within the Black Stars squad.
He emphasized that merely extending invitations without providing meaningful playing time is disheartening, citing Madagascar as a case in point, where local players have successfully combined with their foreign-based counterparts in the national team setup.
“The national team handlers know what they are after, and you cannot force them to take a player, but what I want to say is that not only our (Samartex) players but they must look at some local players to encourage them because sometimes the foreign ones who come don’t perform well.”
The coach highlighted instances where promising local players, such as Asante Kotoko star Richmond Lamptey, were not allowed to prove themselves on the international stage during competitions like the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
While Lamptey was among a handful of home-based players in Coach Chris Hughton’s team, the midfielder failed to secure a spot in the match-day squads.
