by Silas Boahene | Sep 26, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Black Stars player Derek Boateng has voiced his concerns about Ghana’s current “stadium situation,” highlighting the unfortunate reality that the country lacks a CAF-approved venue to host senior-level international matches.
At the time of his remarks, the Baba Yara Stadium was the only facility eligible to host international games, including Ghana’s upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifier against Sudan in October. However, following Ghana’s 1-0 defeat to Angola at the stadium, CAF has banned the venue due to poor facility conditions, leaving Ghana without an approved stadium. Consequently, the national team will have to play their “home” game against Sudan at a foreign location, with CĂ´te d’Ivoire emerging as the likely host due to scheduling conflicts with Togo.
In a passionate interview, Boateng criticized the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for its role in this predicament, urging them to prioritize player welfare over financial interests, particularly concerning those connected to the Black Stars. Expressing his dismay, he stated, “It’s so sad that we are in that kind of situation right now. We don’t have to be there. Ghana now has to find a field to play a home game; oh, come on. We are too much for that, so for me, it’s really sad to hear something like that.”
Derek Boateng, who represented Ghana in the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups, hopes for a swift resolution to the stadium crisis.
by Silas Boahene | Sep 26, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The Greater Accra Regional Football Association (GARFA) has officially appointed Ashlid as the provider of match balls for the upcoming 2024/2025 football season. This partnership marks a renewed collaboration with Ashlid Enterprise, a leading supplier of sports equipment in Ghana, following their successful alliance during the 2021/2022 GARFA Division Two Middle League.
The announcement was made during a vibrant launch event held at the GHALCA Conference Hall at Accra Sports Stadium. GARFA confirmed that all affiliated clubs will receive match-ready footballs, with each team getting three balls for training and three for matchday use, totaling 1,800 Ashlid Balls for the season.
The new Ashlid Orbita balls feature an 8-panel design aimed at enhancing player control and performance, even under challenging weather conditions. The balls showcase a sleek white surface accented with bold red, proudly representing GARFA’s colors. Special editions of the balls will also be released for the GARFA Women’s League and the Middle League.
GARFA Chairman Samuel Aboabire expressed his appreciation for the ongoing support from Ashlid Enterprise’s CEO, Fredrick Aglago Atsu. “Today, we celebrate not just a partnership but a commitment to excellence for the next three years,” Aboabire stated. He also outlined the delivery schedule, which includes 500 footballs in the first year, followed by 600 and 700 in subsequent years.
The upcoming season promises to be an exciting one, with Ashlid balls set to be used in 40 thrilling matches across Greater Accra, solidifying this collaboration as a key element of Ghanaian football.
by Silas Boahene | Sep 26, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Other Sports
An anti-doping seminar, organized by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), was conducted for Ghana’s top rugby players and officials last Saturday in Accra. The seminar aimed to promote the importance of remaining drug-free and ensuring fair competition, especially with the upcoming 2024 Africa Women’s tournament, which will host 12 countries in November.
The Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) recognized this event as a timely opportunity to educate key stakeholders about the dangers of doping, its serious consequences, and preventive measures. The seminar was led by the National Anti-Doping Committee, now recognized as a National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) due to recent legislative changes, and operates a national secretariat located within the Accra Sports Stadium. There are also plans to introduce certification courses for athlete support personnel across various sports to help federations combat doping more effectively.
Prince Azanu, the officer in charge of anti-doping at the national secretariat, expressed satisfaction with the participants’ engagement during the seminar, describing it as a significant step forward for all sports disciplines. “This exercise is very important, and I was pleased with the participants’ responses, particularly during the Q&A session. As sports become more scientific, anti-doping efforts must remain a priority. We want to ensure that our athletes are well-informed about anti-doping issues, keeping them up to date with the latest trends globally,” Mr. Azanu remarked.
He noted that while the attendees demonstrated a solid understanding, there remains a need for further education, particularly regarding anti-doping rule violations and exemptions. “On a scale of one to ten, they currently sit at a 7. They need more education to stay updated with anti-doping developments. I believe more of these forums should be organized across all federations. Within a year, athletes and their supporters should have regular access to such discussions to ensure everyone knows the dos and don’ts of anti-doping,” he emphasized.
The seminar attracted 38 participants, and GRFU officials announced that it would become a regular feature on the calendar to ensure ongoing education. Rafatu Inusah, a Board Member of the GRFU, stated, “Anti-doping has been around for a long time, but global governing bodies are now treating it with utmost seriousness. It is essential for all countries to educate not only players but also coaches and everyone involved in rugby and sports. This is an excellent initiative that all federations should take seriously.”
She added, “We are committed to continuously educating our players, coaches, and volunteers about what they need to do or avoid to prevent doping violations in international competitions. This program will be a regular feature for all players, coaches, and officials every year or mid-year.”
Participants, including top players from both the male and female national 7s and 15s teams, along with coaches and technical officials from local rugby clubs, expressed their appreciation for the insights gained during the seminar. They are optimistic that this knowledge will help them navigate doping issues as athletes.
by Silas Boahene | Sep 26, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
The Ghanaian government has strongly contested the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) claims that the country lacks FIFA-standard pitches suitable for hosting international matches. This response follows CAF’s recent decision to ban the Baba Yara Stadium, the only venue approved for the Black Stars’ matches, due to inadequate standards. As a result, Ghana is now in a rush to find an alternative location for their critical 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sudan.
Amid reports that Ghana might have to play this match abroad, possibly in Ivory Coast, Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has firmly rejected CAF’s assertions. He maintains that Ghana has multiple FIFA-standard pitches, specifically mentioning those in Cape Coast, Accra, and Kumasi.
Ussif noted that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has formally requested CAF to conduct inspections of both the Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Sports Stadium but has yet to receive a response. The Sports Ministry remains optimistic that CAF will approve one of these local venues, which would prevent Ghana from having to host the match in a neighboring country.
“It’s not that we don’t have FIFA-standard pitches in Ghana; we do have FIFA-standard pitches in Cape Coast, Accra, and Kumasi,” Ussif emphasized while addressing Parliament’s Sports Select Committee on Tuesday, September 24. “We have written to CAF requesting an inspection of the Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Sports Stadium, and they have yet to respond,” he added.
by Silas Boahene | Sep 26, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in partnership with the University of Cape Town (UCT), has launched the CAF-UCT Football Management Executive Programme in South Africa. The initiative, inaugurated by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe on September 2, 2024, aims to enhance the skills of football administrators across CAF’s 54 Member Associations. It combines online learning with on-site modules at UCT’s Graduate School of Business to strengthen governance and leadership in African football. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) was represented at the launch, highlighting Ghana’s commitment to the programme’s vision for sustainable football development on the continent.
