2024-12-23

gsn24 news

I’m not perturbed about criticism – Asamoah Gyan on joining Bawumia’s campaign team

Former Ghana Captain, Asamoah Gyan says he is not worried about what people have been saying about him, following his appointment to serve on Dr Mahamadu Bawumia’s 2024 campaign team.

Gyan, earlier this month, was named on the Manifesto Committee of the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer for the 2024 elections to serve as the lead for the “Youth and Sports” manifesto sub-committee.

The former Ghana international is expected to actively communicate the sports aspect of Dr Bawumia’s manifesto when completed.

His acceptance to serve on Bawumia’s team has been received with mixed reactions from Ghanaians with some criticising the former Sunderland man.
However, Gyan says he has no concerns with what has been said about his affiliation with the New Patriotic Party.

“They have their own opinions,” said Gyan at the inauguration of the NPP’s Campaign Team for the 2024 general elections, at Alisa Hotel, when quizzed about the thoughts of his critics. “I have been there [before]. I have been to stadia, been booed in front of 80,000 people, I am used to it.”

“At the end of the day, the work shows. Sometimes, you go to the enemy’s territory and you come out with applause. I have confidence in myself and I know what I can do to help. I am here to help because of my 20 years of experience. I can’t just sit at home and keep it. I have to share with the new generation to benefit from it.

“At the end of the day when everything is said and done, we see what we did or what we couldn’t do. The criticisms will come. It is also good for me personally and for my team to push harder…”

The committee has been tasked to carry out a thorough review of the party’s previous manifestos from the 2016 and 2020 elections.

It’s time to take a long-term approach to correct the wrongs in our football – Akufo-Addo

President Nana Akufo-Addo says it’s high time Ghana deployed a long-term strategy to help solve the country’s football problems.

According to him, the recent performances of the Black Stars have raised questions about the future of the sport in Ghana as the search for success still continues.

Ghana suffered yet another group-stage exit at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire after picking just two points from a possible six. The Black Stars, then under the tutelage of Chris Hughton, failed to progress from Group B which also had Cape Verde, Egypt and Mozambique.

Akufo-Addo talked about the disappointment of the team’s performance in Abidjan which he believes was contrary to what the players expected.

“The recent AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire was probably the nadir of the performance of the Black Stars, and has left the nation saddened. However, I am quite certain that the young men and the technical handlers would, themselves, have wanted to make our nation proud, and I believe that the captain, Andre Dede Ayew, meant every word when he rendered heartfelt apologies on behalf of his team-mates to all Ghanaians for the team’s early exit,” he said in his penultimate State of the Nation Address delivered in Parliament on Tuesday, February 27.

In the wake of the retrogression of Ghana’s football, the President intends to unveil a ‘Presidential Policy on Football’ which will address the challenges of these problems.

“I believe it is time for us to take a long-term, far-sighted approach to correct what has gone wrong. It is time to return to scouting, grooming and developing talent at the district grassroots level under a Presidential Policy on Football that I intend to unveil,” he continued.

“The school sports department of the Ministry of Education will work hand in hand with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration and synergy with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), to build district, regional and national juvenile teams for both boys and girls.

“The more than one hundred and fifty (150) astro turf pitches constructed throughout the country, under this administration, provide the foundational facilities to make a start, as we strive to provide more of them. We should see a steady progression of talent up the ladder from the junior juvenile teams to the senior sides based on merit, and nothing else.”

African Games 2023: Ghana Athletics to organise open championship at Legon Stadium on Wednesday

Ghana Athletics will organise a national open championship at the University of Ghana stadium on Wednesday, February 28, 2024.

The championship, is a pre-competition trial of the facility ahead of the African Games 2023.

It will last two hours, starting from 5 PM and ending at 7 PM to make way for the continuation of preparations and rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the event.

The Local Organising Committee (LOC), on Friday, February 23, handed the facility the opening ceremony team to fix their equipment prepare the ceremony slated for March 8, forcing Ghana Athletics to reschedule its National Invitational Students Athletics Championship (NISAC), which was slated for February 24 to 28.

The LOC, however, had to compromise as standard requirements from World Athletics makes it mandatory for the facilities to be tested before competitions begin.

With the athletics governing only likely to have access to the facility on March 10, 2024, they might not be able to organise any major event to test the tracks and equipment before the athletics competitions start on March 18.

Hence, the pre-competition event will be held on Wednesday without field events, per JoySports sources.

Meanwhile, the certification of the main stadium tracks for the games is expected to complete today, while the lane markings the warm up track will start on Wednesday.

Black Stars miss out on inaugural FIFA Series

Ghana’s Black Stars have been excluded from the list of African teams chosen by FIFA for the inaugural FIFA Series international friendlies.

On Monday, FIFA announced its decision to trial the FIFA Series; a set of FIFA-backed international friendlies, in the next international window in March 2024.

In a statement on Monday, FIFA said four national teams selected from each confederation will converge in one country for the inaugural FIFA Series next month.

Although FIFA allocated six slots to African countries for the inaugural edition, Ghana’s Black Stars were somehow overlooked for the ‘‘tournament’’.

Algeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea and Central African Republic are the African countries selected for the inaugural edition.

Ghana were not the only big-name absentee for the inaugural event as Africa’s number one-ranked team, Senegal, AFCON 2023 winners, Cote d’Ivoire, and finalists Nigeria were all conspicuously missing.

FIFA says the initiative will ‘‘will provide member associations with a more regular opportunity to face national teams from other continents, which will serve to unlock technical development opportunities previously unavailable to many of them.’’

‘‘The FIFA Series will also provide the participating member associations with their own additional commercial opportunities and exposure.’’

The pilot Series will run from 18 to 26 March 2024.

Paris 2024Q: Black Queens didn’t lose to Zambia because of complacency – Freda Ayisi

Black Queens midfielder Freda Ayisi has set sights on her side overturning the first-leg deficit against Zambia on Wednesday, February 28.

Ghana will face Zambia in the second leg of their 2024 Olympic Games third-round qualifier in Ndola looking to advance at the expense of their hosts.

The Black Queens suffered a second consecutive defeat when they met the Copper Queens at the Accra Sports Stadium last Friday with Racheal Kundananji scoring the game’s only goal.

Ayisi made her debut for Nora Hauptle’s women during the game in Accra and was taken off after the opening 45 minutes.

Speaking ahead of the second leg, the Charlton Athletic player said, “It will be amazing for the team to go for the Olympics because it’s a big opportunity to show the world that Ghana can play football and also put us on the map again.”

“I feel that the team is good, the team is doing well, it wasn’t complacency that made us lose in Accra. We are focused, sometimes football can go either way and that’s what happened in the 1st leg.”

The 29-year-old was also quizzed about how quickly she’s adapted to the team after receiving her maiden call-up.

“I’m adapting and I feel like am doing well especially in training and that is the best way to adapt, just train and work hard with the girls and hope I will be on the same level and we can play football together permanently,” she added.

The return leg of the tie will be played at the Levy Nwanawasa Sports Stadium in Ndola.

Paris 2024Q: Nora Hauptle confident Black Queens can overturn Zambia first leg deficit

lack Queens Nora Hauptle believes the team can cause an upset in Ndola when they face Zambia in the second leg of their Olympic Games qualifier.

The two teams are set to meet again on Wednesday, February 28, in the return leg of their third-round qualifier for the 2024 games to be staged in Paris, France.

The Copper Queens claimed a 1-0 advantage in the earlier meeting at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, February 23, which puts Ghana on the brink of elimination.

However, Hauptle is backing her side to cause an upset against the 2023 Women’s World Cup participants.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t deliver or succeed against Zambia in the first leg, but we have the second leg against Zambia,” said the Swiss trainer.

“I think when we put one goal in, it will explode down there and then we back in April for the fourth round against Morocco and then I hope that the stadium [Accra Sports Stadium] here is cooking and we can get a sold-out stadium.”

The Ghana team are already in Ndola as preparations begin for the second encounter against Zambia. The team left Ghana right after the defeat at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Queens are hoping for a first appearance at the Olympic Games while chasing a first football appearance for Team Ghana since the Black Meteors in 2004.

African Games: Abdulai Mukarama & Stella Nyamekye receive late Black Princesses call-ups

Hasaacas Ladies striker Abdulai Mukarama will join the Black Princesses camp in a surprise call up for the Accra 2023 African Games.

The former Black Maidens captain, and Dreamz Ladies striker Stella Nyamekye are the two late additions to Princesses camp as they continue preparations towards the tournament.

On Monday, Ghana’s U-20 Women’s football team, the Black Princesses moved to Cape Coast to begin camping ahead of the 13th African Games.

Coach Yussif Basigi’s side will kick off their campaign against Ethiopia on March 9th at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium before playing against Tanzania and Uganda in the other Group A matches.

The Princesses have just returned from a training tour in France, where they trained at the National Football Centre in Clairefontaine.

Basigi’s ladies played out a goalless draw with the Under 19 female team, of Paris Saint Germain in the only friendly match they played in France.

The 13th African Games is scheduled to take place from March 8-23, 2024.

Here is the full Princesses list:

African Games 2023: LOC to spend GHS 33.4 million a day on ‘operational expenses’

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 13th African Games, has budgeted to spend a whopping US$48 million (GHS602 million) on “operational expenses”, 6 times Parliament’s approved GHS100 million.

The figure works out to around a 6-day weekly expenditure of GHS200.6 million, and a daily operational expense of GHS 33.4 million for the 18-day competition.

The details of the LOC’s spend are contained in a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), signed by the LOC Chairman, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare, seeking sponsorship to support the LOC’s activities.

The letter was published on social media by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa.

The LOC hopes to raise the monies through corporate sponsorships.

In that regard, President Akufo-Addo, held meetings with CEOs of both State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and private businesses, to solicit for funds to support the project.

He held meetings with GOIL, GNPC, Ghana Gas, ENI Energy, McDan, Zoomlion and many others, and Hon. Ablakwa alleges that BOST has already paid US$500,000 to the LOC as part of their sponsorship.

This move is being criticized for its profligacy, and for targeting already struggling public and private companies, sparking ethical concerns and potential parliamentary actions.

Ghana won the rights in 2018 to host the multi-sport event, which was expected to take place in August 2023. But delay in completing facilities earmarked for the 29-sport event led to a postponement to 2024.

The country invested heavily in infrastructure for this purpose. They constructed the brand new Borteyman Sports Complex, completed the University of Ghana Stadium, and renovated accommodation facilities on campus to serve as the Games’ Village.

US$195 million has been invested of facilities to host the games, according to Ofosu Asare.

The games will take place from March 8-23, 2024. An estimated 8,000 athletes, technical officials and medical personnel are expected to be in Ghana during that period.

The LOC intends to procure 332 vehicles to serve transportation needs, with 55 buses, 29 Land Cruisers, 106 Saloon Cars, 26 minibuses, 78 Wagons, 30 Ayalolo buses, 5 trucks and 3 Prados.

“Beating Kotoko never a problem for me”- Bashir Hayford jabs Kotoko after guiding Lions to another victory

Heart of Lions coach Bashir Hayford has taken a thinly veiled dig at Asante Kotoko after securing a 1-0 win over the Porcupine Warriors.

Godfred Kwadwo Asamoah’s second half finish was enough to secure maximum points at the Kpando Stadium.

The former Medeama midfielder found space in the penalty area to finish just after the interval.

Known for his colourful post-match comments, Bashir Hayford was not going to pass up the opportunity to remind Kotoko of their day of shame against Lions, twenty years ago.

“This is the second history I’ve made for Lions against Kotoko. The first one was when we won the GHALCA Top 4 tournament.”

“We played the same Kotoko, we beat them, and they took their ball and walked off the pitch before the match ended,” he said.

On his latest conquest, Bashir Hayford disclosed what the trick was.

“As for Kotoko, I’ve been coaching other teams to meet them, and I don’t think they’ve ever been a problem for me.”

“So I told them (the Lions players) not to fear. The name is big, but they should not fear them.”

“Some of them hear the name Kotoko and they start panicking, so I psyched them and told them that, yes, it is one of the biggest clubs in Africa but doesn’t mean we cannot play them,” he said.

Since his appointment, Bashir Hayford has won three of the four league matches, with the only blemish being a 2-2 draw with defending champions, Medeama SC.

Lions are now temporarily out of the drop zone with 18 points.

Saturday’s defeat was Kotoko’s first in eight matches.

Prosper Ogum’s side had previously not lot been beaten in seven consecutive matches but struggled to cope with Lions intensity.

Kotoko remain in third placed with 29 points but could fall further behind if any of Samartex 96, Aduana, Nsoatreman United, and Berekum Chelsea win their matches this weekend.

Saturday’s match was the first Ghana Premier League game at the Kpando Sports Stadium in nine years.

Kelvin Kiptum funeral: Thousands mourn Kenya’s marathon star destined for greatness

Trying to hold back the tears, Kelvin Kiptum’s widow, Asenath Rotich, led the mourners at the funeral for the young Kenyan marathon world record holder.

She broke down when revealing that the couple had been planning a big wedding celebration in April.

Kiptum was just 24 when he died in a car accident nearly a fortnight ago.

He had stunned the world in his short marathon career and figures from sport and politics came to pay tribute to a man whose life had promised so much.

Kenya’s President William Ruto was there as well as Sebastian Coe, who heads athletics’ world governing body.

The funeral ceremony was held at the showground in the village of Chepkorio, where Kiptum trained in western Kenya.

His widow said she and Kiptum, who had a traditional marriage in 2017, had planned to hold a “colourful wedding ceremony” in April.

Her presence reminded everyone that the modest, softly spoken star had also left his wife, two children and parents bereft.

“I mourn my love,” she said, “I’ve cried until no more. I’ll miss you and you’re the love of my life forever. Until we meet again.”

Mourners queued up to view the body before the funeral service

Kenya is home to some of the world’s best runners and many came to pay their respects.

Amos Kipruto, the 2022 London Marathon champion, was a pall bearer at the service.

“The hands are not strong enough,”

“My heart is heavy it is painful, and I still feel it’s a movie… We are all rivals in races but in friendship we are together.”

Multiple world record holder Faith Kipyegon described Kiptum as “unique” and wondered what could have been, saying that this was the year that the young long-distance runner was going to break the two-hour barrier in the marathon.

“Since he arrived… he has re-written history,” He has a legacy that we’ve never seen in this world. We are here… to celebrate what he has achieved in a very short time.”

Athletes accompanied the coffin as it entered the grounds for the funeral service

Kiptum only ran his first marathon in December 2022 recording the fastest debut time over the distance. He then broke the London course record last year and smashed the world record, held by Kenyan great Eliud Kipchoge, in October 2023.

Overall, he ran three of the fastest seven marathons of all time in less than a year.

Reflecting on this record Lord Coe said Kiptum had reached “the highest peaks of achievement”.

But he was also a local hero who was said to have done a lot for people in his home area.

“I feel pain and shock,” local resident Susan Jerotich said.

“He would have been a great support to the community and family. He was our light. He’s motivated many.

“We used to say to our children: ‘Be like Kiptum.'”

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