by Silas Boahene | Apr 21, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, International
As the London Marathon approaches, athletes express that the late Kelvin Kiptum will always have a special place in their hearts.
The Kenyan star runner, who won last year’s race, tragically passed away in a car crash in February at the age of 24, alongside his Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
His death, coming just months after he became the first man to run a marathon in under two hours and one minute in Chicago, sent shockwaves through the sport.
Kiptum was reportedly planning a bid to run the 42-kilometre distance in under two hours in Rotterdam in April, a feat that has never been achieved in open competition.
“The course is named after him. We are all remembering him now. We have placed him in a special place in our hearts. In a really short time, he lit up the sport,” said Ethiopian Olympic gold medalist, Kenenisa Bekele.
In winning the London Marathon last year, Kiptum set a new record time for the event of two hours, one minute, and 25 seconds.
by Silas Boahene | Apr 21, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, International
Following an investigation, organizers have disqualified He Jie’s first-place finish in the Beijing Half Marathon last weekend, confirming that three other runners had slowed down to let him win the race.
All four runners have been disqualified and were required to return their medals and award money.
Chinese online users had shared video footage from the final moments of Sunday’s race, suspecting it had been rigged. The footage showed three African runners allowing He, China’s top long-distance runner, to move ahead of them shortly before reaching the finish line.
The three runners deliberately reduced their pace, according to a statement from a committee established to investigate the race.
The special committee revealed that four runners had originally been hired as pacemakers by a sponsor, but the main organizers of the race were unaware of this. One of the pacemakers did not finish the race.
While the statement did not acknowledge whether the race was rigged, it did issue an apology.
“We deeply and sincerely apologize to the world and to every part of society, that we did not discover and correct the mistakes in time at this race,” the committee said. Zhong’ao Lupao Sports Management Co, the main organizer, is losing its right to host the Beijing Half Marathon as punishment.
One of the runners told BBC Sport Africa that they allowed He to win because they had been hired to serve as pacemakers and were not competing to win the race.
“I was not there to compete,” Willy Mnangat of Kenya was quoted as saying. “My job was to set the pace and help the guy win, but unfortunately, he did not achieve the target, which was to break the national record.”
by Silas Boahene | Apr 21, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Ghana, International
Ghana’s young athletics team secured a remarkable total of 19 medals, comprising 12 Gold, 5 Silver, and 2 Bronze at the recently concluded 4-Nation Junior Athletics Championships at the Stade FĂ©lix HouphouĂ«t Boigny in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.
In the latest update of results, Aisha Ibrahim and Latifa Haruna clinched the 1st and 3rd positions in the women’s U18 400m finals with times of 56.43sec and 1:00.01 respectively.
Naseera Quansah and Amanda Yeboah also achieved 1st and 4th places in the women’s U20 100m finals with times of 12.08sec and 12.76sec (+0.3) respectively, while Joseph Andoh Kwofie and Sarfo Isaac secured the 1st and 3rd positions in the men’s U20 100m finals with times of 10.69sec and 10.83sec (+1.4) respectively.
Isaac Beniako claimed 2nd place in the men’s U18 400m finals with a time of 50.22sec, while Gloria Amoh won the U18 women’s long jump finals with a jump of 4.62m.
The Ghana U20 quartet claimed the top spot in the women’s 4x100m relay finals with a time of 48.56sec. The team consisted of Lois Owusu Asantewaa, Naseera Afuah Quansah, Abdulai Sakina, and Christiana Amanda Yeboah.
Similarly, the Ghana U20 quartet finished first in the men’s 4x100m relay finals with a time of 41.89sec. The team comprised Joseph Andoh Kwofie, Francis Liberty Fantivie, Isaac Sarfo, and Abubakar Hamza.
Prince Yaw Gyasi Adu emerged victorious in the U18 men’s high jump finals with a jump of 1.90m.
The 4-Nation Junior Athletics Championship was held at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
by Silas Boahene | Apr 19, 2024 | Africa, International, Soccer
The president of the Cameroon Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o, has leveled accusations against VĂ©ron Mosengo-Omba, the General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), alleging multiple violations of FIFA’s code of ethics during an investigation into match-fixing allegations.
Eto’o’s legal team has filed a complaint with FIFA, claiming that Mosengo-Omba instigated the investigation to generate negative publicity about the former Barcelona striker, who assumed the presidency of Fecafoot in December 2021.
In August, CAF initiated an inquiry following receipt of written statements from Cameroonian football stakeholders regarding alleged improper conduct by Eto’o. These allegations reportedly included his involvement in match-fixing following the emergence of a recording in which Eto’o converses with an individual purported to be the president of a Cameroonian club.
Eto’o’s lawyers contest that the recording lacks evidence of match-fixing and question its legality. Their complaint to FIFA alleges that Mosengo-Omba orchestrated a media campaign against Eto’o, accusing him of violating various sections of FIFA’s ethics code, including defamation, assault on physical and moral integrity, abuse of power, and breach of rules of general conduct and duty of confidentiality.
Antoine Vey, Eto’o’s lawyer, expressed concerns about the circumstances surrounding the recording and the motives behind its release. He emphasized that Eto’o’s conversation merely addressed concerns raised by a club president without implicating any illegal activities.
Furthermore, Eto’o’s legal team claims that their attempts to schedule a hearing with CAF were ignored until they lodged the complaint with FIFA. Eto’o’s hearing is now set for Wednesday, exceeding the six-month timeframe stipulated in CAF’s disciplinary code.
The allegations raise significant questions about the handling of the investigation and the adherence to ethical standards within African football’s governing bodies.
by Silas Boahene | Apr 19, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Ghana
The Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale has been chosen as the venue for the inaugural event of the 11th edition of the GNPC Ghana Fastest Human, scheduled for May 11.
The competition will feature the 100-meter dash for boys and girls across three age categories: under 15, under 18, and adults over 18.
Following the opening event in Tamale, the competition will move to the Cape Coast Stadium on May 25, followed by the Kumasi Baba Yara Stadium on June 15, and will culminate at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra on June 29.
During the launch of the 2024 edition, three sprinting icons—Ohene Karikari, Oko Addy, and Mike Ahey—were honored for their contributions to the sport.
Hon. Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth & Sports, expressed hope that more athletes would qualify for the Olympic Games, acknowledging the role of the GNPC Ghana Fastest Human in athlete development, with some participants from previous events going on to compete at the Games.
Dr. Kwame Baah Nuakoh, GM Strategy & Investments of GNPC, highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting track and field, citing its importance to Ghanaians and its role in nurturing talents who often achieve international success. He also proposed the promotion of sports at the tertiary level.
Nana Bediatuo Asante, Secretary to the President of Ghana, commended the involvement of the private sector in talent discovery and sports development.
Mr. Dodzie Numekevor, Director General of the National Sports Authority, pledged support to the organizers of GNPC Ghana Fastest Human, ensuring the provision of facilities and staff for a successful event.
