by Silas Boahene | Aug 16, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The football community in Ghana is abuzz with excitement as Media 53 Company Limited officially announces the launch of the Ball Master Challenge. This much-anticipated event is poised to become a highlight on Ghana’s sports calendar, showcasing local football talent and uniting enthusiasts in a celebration of skill and camaraderie.
The launch event took place on August 14, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Decathlon Store in Kawukudi, marking the kickoff of this thrilling initiative. Hosted by Gideon Eli Tettey-Doamekpor, CEO of Media 53 Company Limited, the event attracted a diverse crowd of sports fans, partners, and media representatives, all eager to learn more about this innovative competition.
“The Ball Master Challenge is more than just a sports event; it’s a platform for athletes of all ages to showcase their skills, push their limits, and inspire others,” Tettey-Doamekpor stated. “We designed this event to celebrate talent, determination, and community spirit through a series of engaging challenges.”
Scheduled for September 28, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM at East Legon Wembley Plus, the Ball Master Challenge will feature a range of football-related competitions designed to test participants’ skills across various aspects of the game. The events will include:
- Target Striker – A challenge that tests precision and accuracy as participants aim for specific targets, showcasing skill and focus.
- One-on-One – Players will engage in intense duels, highlighting agility, speed, and tactical thinking, with an emphasis on quick decisions and swift movements.
- Freestyle – This competition emphasizes creativity, where participants perform dazzling tricks and maneuvers with the ball, showcasing flair and innovation.
- Ball Juggler – Participants will demonstrate their control and endurance as they juggle the ball for as long as possible, focusing on rhythm and balance.
- Free Kick – In this event, players will aim to score from set pieces, testing their precision and power in a thrilling challenge of technique and composure under pressure.
Registration is open to individuals aged 8 and above, both male and female, and can be completed by dialing the shortcode 800998# with a registration fee of GHC 50 per challenge. The total prize pool for the event exceeds GHC 30,000, with first-place winners receiving GHC 3,000, second place GHC 1,500, and third place GHC 1,000, along with 10% discount coupons from Decathlon for all winners. Consolation prizes will also be awarded.
Notable judges for the competition include Awudu Issaka, a former Ghanaian international footballer celebrated for his dribbling skills, along with other distinguished ex-Black Stars players. Their expertise will ensure high standards of judging throughout the event.
The challenge is supported by key partners, including Decathlon, which is providing football equipment for the competitions. Media 53 Company Limited is proud to organize and promote the Ball Master Challenge, with extensive coverage from media partner Max TV Media Group across TV, Y-fm, Happy FM, and Afrimass Network.
The Ball Master Challenge aims to foster a love for football, promote active lifestyles, and cultivate a sense of community among participants and spectators. Open to all ages and skill levels, it is designed as a family-friendly event that will engage a diverse group of football enthusiasts.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 16, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The Ghana Esports Federation (GESF) has officially launched a registration drive for all athletes under its jurisdiction. This online initiative aims to establish an accurate database and identification system for Esports athletes, enhancing their participation in both national and international competitions.
The registration process will be conducted in phases, starting with Regional Esports athletes from August 20 to September 20, 2024. This will be followed by the registration of Regional Esports teams from October 10 to November 10, 2024, and finally, Regional Game centres from January 12 to February 12, 2025. Athletes can complete their registration via the GESF’s official website, www.ghanaesportsfederation.org.
The GESF emphasized the importance of this initiative, highlighting its role in shaping policy development, identifying growth opportunities, and supporting the creation of regional Esports hubs tailored to community needs. This effort marks a significant step forward in the development of Esports in Ghana.
“We urge all Esports athletes to participate in this crucial exercise to build an effective database,” the GESF stated, reaffirming its commitment to fostering a safe and healthy environment for Esports activities across the country.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 16, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Hasaacas Ladies Football Club assistant coach, Emmanuel Mensah, expressed concern over his team’s scoreless performance in two consecutive matches, stating that it does not meet the club’s usual high standards. He made these remarks following Hasaacas’ 3-0 defeat to Nigeria’s Edo Queens in the WAFU Zone B Championship in CĂ´te d’Ivoire.
Hasaacas Ladies are striving to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League but have struggled, going winless in their first two games. After a goalless draw against Burkina Faso’s Omnisport in the opening match, Coach Mensah is particularly disappointed with the team’s inability to find the back of the net.
“It’s not the best; not being able to score shows that our attack hasn’t been up to par. It’s unfortunate because this isn’t the Hasaacas standard. We need to address this and focus on scoring in our next game.”
Hasaacas Ladies are set to face Group B’s bottom-ranked AS Garde from Niger in their next match.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 15, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has expressed his confidence in FC Samartex as they prepare for their debut in the CAF Champions League. The reigning Ghana Premier League champions are set to take on Cameroon’s Victoria United in the first leg of the preliminary round on Sunday, August 18, at the Japoma Stadium.
During a visit to the team’s training ground on Tuesday, Okraku delivered an inspiring message, urging the players to draw motivation from the recent successes of Medeama and Dreams FC, who advanced to the group stages of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, respectively.
“Your colleagues have done it just a few months ago. Now, it’s your turn to go the extra mile and put Ghana back on the map in CAF Inter-club competitions,” Okraku stated.
He commended Samartex for their impressive Ghana Premier League victory and emphasized the quality within their squad. “I have no doubt that there’s quality in this team. You are true champions and worthy representatives of our country in Africa,” he added. “I have absolute trust in the technical team to guide all of you on this adventure.”
FC Samartex departed for Cameroon on Wednesday, August 14, with the return leg of the preliminary round set to take place at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, August 25.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 15, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian midfielder Forson Amankwah has credited his Norwich City teammates for helping him settle quickly after joining the club from RB Salzburg. The 21-year-old has already made a strong impression, notably playing a key role in Norwich’s Carabao Cup win over Stevenage, shortly after his league debut.
Amankwah expressed his gratitude for the support he’s received, which has facilitated his smooth transition to the English Championship side. “It’s been really good. The standards at Norwich are very high, and we had a good game today. After the weekend’s loss, we came back strong,” he said.
Reflecting on his first match at Carrow Road, Amankwah added, “I’m settling in well, and my teammates have been incredibly helpful, especially during the games. The most important thing is that we won.”
As Norwich prepares for their next match against Blackburn, Amankwah looks forward to building on his promising start.
