2024-12-23

Games

Nketiah Foundation Cup 2024: Joma Smart FC win inaugural edition of football tournament

Joma Smart Football Club won the maiden edition of the Nketiah Foundation Cup after beating Strong Heroes Academy in the final.

The one-day football competition, which was held at the Madina AstroTurf on March 16, 2024, saw the Teshie-based side lift the trophy and walk away with a cash prize at the end of the day.

Both Joma Smart and Strong Heroes made the final after a brilliant run in the group stage as well as the semifinal.

The winners topped Group A which also had Highest Academy as well as Aboma while Strong Heroes advanced from Group B which also consisted of Mercury Academy and Vassajan, who finished second in their group.

Victories in their semifinal ties meant Strong Heroes set up a mouthwatering encounter against Joma Smart with the latter scoring late in the second half to break the hearts of Strong Heroes, who are based in Kasoa Amanfro.

The tournament was put together by the Nketiah Foundation, a non-governmental organization set up by Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah, in partnership with Elite Project Sports Agency which is based in London.

Speaking to Joy Sports after the event, the father of the English-born Ghanaian, Eddie Nketiah Snr, said he was impressed with the success of the first edition despite the short notice.

“It’s been amazing. We called people at short notice but in terms of the quality of the football and the fun that was had by all of us, I think it’s been wonderful,” he said.

“The Foundation is simply trying to inspire people and the youth through football. Eddie [Nketiah] is a story that comes from a humble beginning and he has got into where he has gotten to.

“We want to use the platform to help people to move to a level where they have fun but also while having fun tackle some of the serious social issues such as poverty, isolation and try and have fun.”

He also added that his team will look to organize more of the football competition which will help unearth more talent.

Each participating team walked home with a cash prize as well as a football while the top three teams got medals in addition.

The first runner-up, Strong Heroes Academy, were rewarded with a GHS 1,000.00 while the winners, Joma Smart FC, also received a GHS 2,000.00 cash prize.

Individuals who walked away with accolades included:

  • Player of the Tournament – Williams Akuffo (Strong Heroes)

Top scorer – McCauley Obeng Dochi (Joma Smart)

Best Goalkeeper – Obed Dwamena (Joma Smart)

TAG Nketiah Foundation

African Games 2023: ‘Event didn’t look possible a few months ago’ – Former Nigeria Sports Minister marvelled at Ghana’s efforts

Immediate past Nigerian Minister for Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, has expressed surprise at Ghana’s ability to host the 13th African Games from an impossible situation ten months ago.

According to Dare, who was deeply involved with the process through an AU committee, said in an interview in Accra that ten months ago, when Ghana asked for an eight-month extension, hosting the Games in Ghana appeared impossible.

After demonstrating a strong commitment to develop some world-class facilities, Dare believes Ghana, President Akufo-Addo, and the Minister for Sports deserve commendations.

“I think we must commend the President of Ghana, the Minister for Youth and Sports of Ghana, Mustapha Ussif, because when you look back 10 months ago it was almost impossible that this would take place and Ghana requested for 8 months extra to be able to put everything in place,” said Dare, who is in Accra for the Games.

“We have seen what they (Ghana) have done. We have seen a brand new stadium at the University [of Ghana], we have seen the Games village, and we have seen on display the absolute commitment of the government of Ghana and the efforts of the Minister and his team,” he added.

“I have been to the games, and I think that this is commendable. I was the chairman of the African Union team last year when we took the decision to extend the time for Ghana to be able to prepare. I’m happy that in eight months, Ghana has been able to pull this together.’

Dare described the successful hosting of another African Games as “a pride for Africa that 54 countries are gathered here, 29 sports and 7 different venues for the 13th edition of the African Games.”

“It requires a lot to host the African Games. It requires the political will and support of the government of the country, it requires a minister and ministry of Sports that is up and running and has the political zeal to pull it through, it requires all the support of stakeholders in the sports architecture; the Athletics, the federations and all those involved coming together and work together to make this happen.”

Ghana is hosting the 54-country and 29-discipline sports festivals after building multi-purpose infrastructure in Accra.

‘Disregard comments made by Seidu Ajanako after Morocco defeat’ – Ghana Volleyball Association

The Ghana Volleyball Association (GVA) has disassociated itself from comments made by Seidu Ajanako following Ghana’s defeat to Morocco in the ongoing African Games.

Ghana lost to Morocco in two straight sets in the quarterfinals of the men’s beach volleyball event on Wednesday morning resulting in their elimination from the competition.

Prior to the clash against the North Africans, Ghana had won their first four games of the event since the start of the competition.

Speaking to Joy Sports after the defeat, one of Ghana’s players, Ajanako, complained about the team not receiving protective socks for the games which have left them with blisters.

“All our toes are full of blisters because of the heat of the sand. That can also affect you,” he said.

“We didn’t get the sand socks to wear because they told us there’s a shipment coming and it has been delayed.”

However, GVA has denied the concerns raised by Ajanako.

In a rejoinder issued on Wednesday evening, the Association disassociates itself from the player’s comments claiming the team lost to an ‘equally good side’.

Read the full statement below:

Ghana currently boasts five medals from the games so far from weightlifting and swimming.

African Games 2023: Harry Stacey advances to final of men’s 50m freestyle; Abeku falls short

Team Ghana’s Harry Stacey is through to the finals of the Men’s 50m Freestyle event but talisman Abeku Jackson missed out of the Swimming event at the African Games.

Stacey finished the heat event in second with a time of 23.17s while Abeku ended in third, clocking in at 23.79s.

It will be Stacey’s third individual final in his maiden appearance for Ghana at the continental competition.

Abeku had already won silver and bronze medals for the country.

Elsewhere, Joselle Mensah and Unilez Takyi have also progressed to the finals of the finals of Women’s 50m Freestyle.

Team Ghana has also secured slot in the final of the Mixed 4×100 Freestyle Relay.

All final events are scheduled to take place at 17:00 GMT

African Games 2023: We are competing because we want to win – Yusif Basigi

Head coach of Ghana’s U-20, Yusif Basigi, says the target of the team is to win the gold medal at the end of the women’s football competition at the African Games.

The Black Princesses’ dream is shaping up perfectly after two wins in their opening two games in Group A which sees them advance to the semifinal with a game to spare.

Basigi’s side beat Ethiopia in their first game before coming from behind to defeat Tanzania at the Cape Coast Stadium on Tuesday night to maintain the top spot in the group.

Despite their winning run, the Black Princesses have not enjoyed the best of spells. Basigi says the team is gradually finding their rhythm.

“We want to win; that is why we are competing,” said Basigi when quizzed about his target at the end of the game. “We are on course. You may see the team not stable but we are on course.”

“We have a little bit of challenges but we are managing and I know we will find our rhythm. That is why in the first half you saw we were a bit shaky because when you don’t have the complement of the team and you keep changing this is what happens.

“As and when we progress then you will see that then you see we are coming up. So yes, the mission is still on course.”

Ghana is looking to reclaim the gold medal it won during the last two editions of the Games in 2015, where they were represented by the Black Queens.

African Games 2023: Abeku and Nubia spearhead Ghana’s quest for more medals with final qualifications

Abeku Jackson and Nubia Adjei have risen as leaders in Ghana’s bid for continued success, having qualified for their respective finals in swimming at the African Games 2023.

Abeku, who clinched a historic silver on Day 2, thereby ending the country’s medal drought in the competition, secured a first-place finish with a time of 54.17 in Heat 3 of the Men’s 100m Butterfly.

In the Women’s category, Nubia, making her debut at the African Games, also advanced to the finals, placing third in the 50m Backstroke Heat 1 with a time of 31.16.

The finals, scheduled for 17:00 GMT, have reignited hopes for additional medals for Ghana.

In other events, Christian Nii Nortey Duah placed 6th with a time of 5:47.85 in the Men’s 400m Freestyle – Heat 1, failing to progress to the finals.

Ankrah Hector Titus, Asampong Theodore, and Niklas Yeboah also faced challenges in their respective events, falling short of advancing.

African Games 2023: “self-sponsored” Ghanaian cyclists blame poor showing on substandard equipment

Ghana’s national cycling team, the Golden Bikers, have struggled to compete at the ongoing African Games due to sub standard equipment, cyclists have said.

On Sunday, national champion Michael Naaba withdrew from the cycling competition due to a faulty bicycle.

Shortly after taking off, the tube connected to Naaba’s bike exploded.

With no spare bicycle available to the Ghanaian champion, he was left with no choice than to discontinue the race.

“It’s the same equipment I have been training with. I’ve been training on this highway. Every day after work. Before work too (at dawn),”

“But the issue was the tube. Its the same tube I’ve been using for training and I had to use it for the competition because I had no option” he concluded.

In June 2023, Michael Naaba won the 2023 Na­tional Cycling Championship in Ho, Volta region.

Although there are twenty cyclists – twelve men and eight ladies – in the team, Naaba’s performance at the tournament and the subsequent event – Tour du Burkina Faso, made him Ghana’s best bet for a medal in the men’s cycling event.

Naaba who rides for Ac­cra-based FCG Cycling Club is not the only Ghanaian cyclist to have paid for their own bicycles and footwear.

Alberta Adobea is one of Ghana’s self-sponsored national cyclists.

“If you look at the approved bicycles for this competition, they’re all made with fibre. But ours are all aluminium bikes which are heavier and more difficult to ride.

“So that gives our competitors an advantage because the fibre made bikes are lighter and easier to handle,” she concluded.

Apart from using old, aluminium bicycles and paying for their own footwear, Ghana’s cyclists had to wear old outfits following the Federations inability to procure fresh ones.

“We paid for our own footwear, the outfits we’re wearing are all old stuff”

“This was tough because of the challenges with logistics. All the bicycles we used are personal bicycles. We bought them with our own monies” she concluded.

This is a new low for Ghana who have had problems with cycling equipment at major tournaments in the past.

In March 2018, a Queensland based local bike owner, Peter Spencer had to start a fundraiser to procure appropriate equipment for Ghana at the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

He made the move after noticing that Ghana’s cyclists were using substandard equipment at the Commonwealth Games.

Then deputy director at the National Sports Authority, Robert Sarfo Mensah insisted the Ghanaian contingent had no challenges with equipment.

“Let us ignore the bad press about the team. The cyclists traveled with their cycles from the last edition of the Olympic Games and they are not totally damaged as is being reported.”

However, Mohammed Sahnoon, President of the Cycling Federation, knew better.

He, unlike Sarfo-Mensah, a political appointee, felt a sense of duty to his team. Not blind loyalty to whatever. Or whoever.

He knew the difference between what Ghana’s cyclists were using, and what their opponents would be riding.

He is quoted by Ghanaweb.com to have said: “The bicycles we brought to Australia for the Commonwealth Games are not broken. They may not be up to Australian standards but we brought bicycles.”

The team’s coach was also caught up in Brazil with other engagements.

“We came here with a coach but he is handling some classifications in Brazil. He will join us soon.” He concluded.

Thus far, neither the Sports Ministry nor the Cycling Federation have commented on the logistical challenges.

Winnifred Ntumi secures team Ghana’s third medal in 2023 African Games

Ghana’s weightlifter Winnifred Ntumi claims the nation’s third medal at the 2023 African Games by clinching silver in the Women’s 49 kg snatch category.

Team Ghana currently sits on the tally table with three medals, one gold and two silver.

Competing with determination and skill, Ntumi showcased her prowess on the weightlifting stage, securing a well-deserved second-place finish in the snatch event.

The Women’s 49 kg snatch event witnessed intense competition, and Ntumi’s success underscores her commitment to excellence in her sporting endeavors. Winnifred Ntumi’s achievement not only adds a shining medal to Ghana’s tally but also exemplifies the dedication and hard work of the nation’s athletes on the continental stage.

The achievement not only adds to Ghana’s growing medal tally but also highlights the exceptional talent and dedication of the nation’s athletes.

African Games 2023: Black Princesses beat Ethiopia to go top of Group A

Ghana’s Black Princesses began their campaign at the 2023 African Games with a win against Ethiopia on Saturday evening.

Comfort Owusu scored the only goal of the game at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium to ensure Ghana moved top of Group A.

Head coach Yusif Basigi named a strong starting lineup for the game which included Black Queens duo Maafia Nyame and Comfort Yeboah with Mukarama Abdulai leading the attack.

Ghana struggled to break down their opponents in the opening minutes of the game with a resilient defensive performance from Ethiopia.

Maafia Nyame should have put the Princesses in the lead earlier on but her little dink over the goalkeeper just went wide of the goalpost.

The first half was characterised by a light-out situation which halted the game for close to 10 minutes.

Both teams headed into the break with nothing separating them.

After the recess, Basigi introduced Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah, who replaced Maafia Nyame. Amponsah’s first involvement in the game almost set up Comfort Owusu for the first goal of the game.

However, there was no stopping Comfort Owusu in the 59th minute after a poor clearance from the Ethiopians with the Hasaacas Ladies’ midfielder scoring from a rebound after Beline Nyarko’s initial shot.

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