by Silas Boahene | Feb 20, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International
Newly appointed Vice President of the United Boxing Coaches Association, Coach Lawrence Carl Lokko, is urging the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the upcoming 13th African Games to rally behind the Ghana Boxing Supporters Union (GHABSU). He calls for extensive support to ensure unwavering encouragement for the national boxing team, the Black Bombers, throughout their competitions at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
In an exclusive interview following his election, Coach Lokko expressed gratitude to all coaches and appealed for unity to enhance Ghana’s boxing standing in Africa. Noting the absence of Ghanaian officials among referees and judges, he emphasized the crucial role of fan support in the Black Bombers’ success.
The seasoned technical expert appealed to the LOC, National Sports Authority (NSA), and the Ministry of Youth & Sports to provide assistance to GHABSU, facilitating their presence at the venue. He believes that with the backing of passionate fans, the Black Bombers will gain the energy and confidence needed to secure numerous medals in boxing.
Coach Lokko emphasized, “All they need is their transport, water, food, and per diem, and they will deliver.”
by Silas Boahene | Feb 19, 2024 | Africa, International, Other Sports
The Armwrestling Federation of Africa (AFA) is gearing up for a historic entry into the 13th Africa Games scheduled to take place from March 08 to 24, 2024, in Accra. As the continent eagerly anticipates this sporting extravaganza, numerous countries, including the host nation Ghana, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, Egypt, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Togo, have confirmed their participation in the Armwrestling competition.
The excitement is palpable as the Armwrestling community looks forward to a world-class event, building on the success of the 12th Africa Armwrestling Championship held in June 2023, which served as the qualifying event for the Africa Games. Armwrestling, deeply rooted in tradition and widely accessible, has gained prominence as a leading sport on the continent, thanks to significant investments led by President Charles.
The Africa Games Armwrestling competition is slated to unfold at the Cedi Hall, University of Ghana, Legon, from March 13th to 16th, 2024. Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, President of the Armwrestling Federation of Africa (AFA), expressed his excitement at the sport’s rapid growth in Africa, acknowledging the hard work of the team in establishing Armwrestling as a competitive discipline at the Africa Games.
President Charles praised the support from the Ghanaian Government, Ministry of Youth & Sports, the Local Organizing Committee, Association of Africa Sports Confederation, Africa Union Sports Council, and others. He assured that thorough preparations are in progress to ensure a warm welcome and high-level sports performance for athletes, officials, and stakeholders during the games.
“Our vision is to make Armwrestling the sport of choice by encouraging participation and enhancing development on the continent. We are making progress as we pave the way for Armwrestling to feature prominently in the Africa Games,” he emphasized.
Mr. Osei Asibey expressed optimism for a successful event that would solidify Armwrestling as a permanent fixture in the Africa Games. He called on all stakeholders to actively promote the sport and attract sponsorship. The competition will feature athletes competing in various weight categories for both men and women, ranging from 55kg to over 100kg, reflecting the inclusive and diverse nature of the sport.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 19, 2024 | Africa, International, Soccer
Renowned Brazilian football legend, Roberto Carlos, graced Ouagadougou with his presence on Thursday, participating in an exhibition match as part of his three-day visit to Burkina Faso. The Minister of Sports, Boukar Savadogo, extended a warm welcome to the 50-year-old icon, emphasizing the visit’s focus on advancing football development in the country.
During the gala match, Roberto Carlos shared the field with former players like Miguel Palacios and Paul Philips. The 2002 World Cup champion’s visit goes beyond the pitch, as he is scheduled to meet with key figures, tour clubs and training centers, and actively participate in various football events throughout Burkina Faso. The aim is to contribute to the enrichment and progress of football across the nation.
The presence of a football luminary like Roberto Carlos is expected to leave a lasting impact on the local football scene, inspiring players, officials, and fans alike.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 19, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Bruce Mwape, the head coach of Zambia’s Copper Queens, is bracing for a challenging encounter against Ghana’s Black Queens in the third round of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers. Despite aiming for consecutive Olympic qualifications, Mwape acknowledges the formidable threat posed by the Ghanaian senior women’s national team.
The upcoming qualifiers will see the Copper Queens travel to Ghana for the first leg on Friday, February 23, with the return match in Ndola five days later. Mwape, recalling a previous encounter four years ago, acknowledges Ghana’s strength, stating, “They are actually a good side. They gave us a tough time, although we managed to beat them.”
In 2018, the Copper Queens secured a comeback victory against Ghana in a friendly match, with Rachael Kundanaji, now the world’s most expensive footballer, scoring a hat-trick. Despite the past success, Mwape is aware that teams have studied Zambia’s playing style, making it crucial to adopt a strategic approach.
Recognizing the challenges of playing away, Mwape emphasized a conscious game plan and the difficulty of facing a supportive home crowd. However, he remains optimistic, citing the team’s recent experiences in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and a third-place finish at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The winner of the Ghana-Zambia matchup will progress to face either Tunisia or Morocco in the final round of qualifiers for a coveted spot in the Paris Olympics.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 18, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Hearts of Oak supporters and shareholders are gearing up for a demonstration to express their profound dissatisfaction with the club’s management. Led by convenor Eric, the planned protest reflects widespread frustration over unfulfilled promises, especially regarding the delayed dissolution of the board by team owner Togbe Afede.
Despite recent appointments of a new coach and managing director, supporters remain discontented, pointing to delays in the formation of a new board. Togbe Afede’s plea for patience until February has been met with disappointment, as news surfaces that the timeline has been extended to March, further fueling unrest among the fanbase and stakeholders.
“We got our permit before Save Ghana got their permit; everything is ready. Concern Hearts of Oak and shareholders are organizing the demonstration, and our message is simple: the management of the club is not good,” explained Eric in an interview with Peace FM, as monitored by Sportblog247.com.
He continued, “We have seen that the way Togbe is handling the team is not good. It is a simple message. Last year at the AGM, we were about to dissolve the board because their time was up, and he pleaded with us to give him until February to constitute a new board. But last week, he pushed it to March. Through this demo, they have made a panic decision by appointing a coach and an MD.”
“We have no problem working with the coach, but we are telling him that the new board he brings in shouldn’t disrespect the supporters like the current one,” he emphasized.
