Category: Sports

Mr. Dodzie Numekevor the new Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), has urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) to consider bringing back the annual Inter-Schools and Colleges games.

This he said would help unearth more sporting talents for the nation in all sporting disciplines.

He said the GES must collaborate with the Ghana Athletics (GA) to see to the return of the event that helped in the development of talents in Ghana.

Mr. Numekevor who said at the launch of the 2024 GNPC Ghana’s Fastest Human competition, said his outfit would make available facilities and staff for the competition.

He commended the organisers of the event for the initiative and urged all corporate bodies to support the event.

Mr. Reks Brobby, organiser of the event said, the Ghana’s Fastest had become a big brand as many people from different parts of the country now want to perform on the platform.

He noted that, the event had over years given a lot of young athletes the opportunity to exhibit their talents a
t the regional and national level.

Mr. Brobby announced that this year’s competition for Under-15, 18 and Seniors above 18 years, would start from the Aliu Mahama Stadium at Tamale on May 11, before moving to Cape Coast Stadium on May 25, Baba Yara Stadium on June 15, with the climax at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra on June 29.

He presented three retired athletes, Ohene Karikari, Oko Addy and Mike Ahey who blazed local and international tracks in the 1960s and 70s with Adidas products.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr. Mustapha Ussif Minister of Youth and Sports, has said plans are in place to introduce the Ghana National Games, this year, as part of efforts to unearth more talents for the nation.

Mr. Ussif said the Ghana National Games would be held on regional level with outstanding athletes competing at the national level.

He said this at the launch of the 2024 edition of the GNPC Ghana Fastest Human Competition at the Accra Sports Stadium, on Monday.

He commended the organisers of the GNPC Ghana Fastest Human Competition and urged corporate bodies to support the initiative that started in 2013 and had since produced athletes who have represented Ghana at major international competitions like the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

Mr. Ussif said Accra had been declared a city of sports from 2024 to 2026, following success story of the African Games and the Ghana Fastest is one of the projects the Ministry was supporting under the scheme.

Mr. Kwame Baah-Nuakoh, General Manager, Strategy and Investments of Ghana Na
tional Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) who are the headline and clothing sponsor of the project said the eleventh milestone was significant as the organisers have brought novelty into Ghana Athletics.

He said sports was a catalyst that can take people into other greater ventures, recalling the GNPC Speedsters Club which adds much value to the training of selected athletes beyond the tracks.

He called for more corporate interest in University Games and the return of Inter Colleges (Inter Co) which produced many track and field stars in the past.

Nana Asante Bediatuo, Secretary to President Nana Akufo-Addo who was Guest of Honour said the GNPC Ghana Fastest Competition was one of the greatest private sector initiatives which has been extremely successful, adding that the President was interested and committed to it.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Organisers of the Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon has opened registration for the 2024 edition of the race fixed for Saturday, August 3.

A statement from the organisers said, participants can register by dialling *380*21# or visit www.accraintercitymarathon.com to register for the race.

It stated that, participants would have the chance to compete in three categories, 21, 10, and 5-kiometrs, adding that there would be attractive prizes and medals at stake for outstanding participants.

The race, which is part of activities earmarked for the celebration of the annual Homowo Festival by the Gas would commence at the Accra Sports Stadium and end at the Bukom Boxing Arena

It added that, the race which is one of the biggest in the country would also be preceded by a two-day Sports Fair, where there would be a platform for sports businesses to network, share ideas and also exhibit their products and services.

It noted that, the organisers would also announce dates for the launch of the race and sponsors.

The
2023 Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon was won by Kooga Atia and Juliana Zakat.

Source: Ghana News Agency

It was with great surprise that I learned of the final communiqué of the FECAFOOT Emergency Committee meeting held on April 6, 2024, announcing the probable appointment, in the next few days, of another coaching staff for the Indomitable Lions.

There is every reason to believe that within the next few days, the Indomitable Lions will find themselves with two coaches, which would be unprecedented in the recent history of modern soccer.

Faced with this situation, which is likely to considerably tarnish the image of Cameroon and Cameroonian soccer, I feel it is my duty, as a citizen and as one of the major players in our game, to take a stand.

First of all, it is important to note that the collaboration agreement, signed on February 05, 2015 between the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education (MINSEP) and the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), was intended solely to facilitate the application of Presidential Decree No. 2014/384 of September 26, 2014 on the organization and functioning of Cameroon’s na
tional soccer teams.

By signing this agreement, FECAFOOT freely and voluntarily agreed to share some of its legal and regulatory attributions relating in particular to the recruitment (by FECAFOOT) and provision (by the State) of members of the national team management structures.

It is therefore clear that the radio press release from the Minister of Sports and Physical Education dated April 02, 2024, announcing the constitution and therefore the provision to FECAFOOT of a new technical, administrative, and medical support staff for the INDOMPTABLE LIONS, complies with the spirit and letter of article 9 of the MINSEP-FECAFOOT agreement of February 05, 2015.

Furthermore, the aforementioned radio press release can in no way constitute undue interference by MINSEP in the affairs of FECAFOOT, insofar as the people recruited by the State and placed at the disposal of FECAFOOT are supposed to work under the authority of FECAFOOT’s management, even if it means that the latter may subsequently identify and denoun
ce cases of insubordination.

About the question concerning the conformity of the provisions of article 9 of this agreement with those of the Presidential Decree of September 26, 2014, it is also important to point out that the current executive of FECAFOOT, in office for over two years, has not seen fit to denounce or call into question the said agreement. On the contrary, all FECAFOOT appointments of members of national team management structures in all categories systematically refer to the provisions of the MINSEP-FECAFOOT agreement of February 05, 2015.

So can FECAFOOT claim responsibility for its turpitude? Certainly not! At least, not to the detriment of Cameroon and Cameroonian soccer!

If the current directors of FECAFOOT are convinced that the Minister of Sports and Physical Education has not respected the applicable regulations, they have every opportunity to either open a frank dialogue with the authorities or to refer the matter to the competent courts and/or FIFA.

The choice of chaos as it see
ms to have been made by the FECAFOOT Executive Committee’s Emergency Committee will certainly face fierce opposition from a large majority of FECAFOOT member soccer clubs, whose voice I am speaking for here.

Any decision to appoint a second technical staff for the INDOMITABLE LIONS will immediately be vigorously contested before the competent national and international courts.

Furthermore, I can already announce that an urgent meeting of the Executive Board of the Association des Clubs de Football Amateur du Cameroun (ACFAC) will be held in Yaoundé this Monday, April 8, 2024, to examine the measures to be taken, in conjunction with other components of Cameroonian soccer, to put an end to the current crisis.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Belgian born Marc Brys has officially signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Cameroon national football team, the indomitable lions.

The contract was signed on Monday at the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, supervised by Minister Professor Narcisse Mouelle Kombi.

Although Fecafoot President Samuel Eto’o could not attend the ceremony due to family obligations and late notification, the deal was finalized after hours of deliberation with the minister and other members in attendance, like the newly appointed Coordinator of the national team Benjamin Didier Banlock, medical doctor William Ngachu, and other deputies.

In addition to Brys as head coach, other key members of the national team include assistant coach Joachim Mununga, first assistant coach Omam Biyik, second assistant coach Ashu Cyprain Bessong, national team coordinator Benjamin Banlock, physical trainer Christophe Manouvrier, medical officer Ngatchou Njomo, team manager Dany Nounkeu, team press officer Germain Noël Essengue, and
goalkeeper coach Aliuom Boukar, a two-time AFCON-winning goalkeeper who also served as goalkeeper trainer in 2017.

During the installation ceremony, the minister emphasized the importance of ensuring a competent and effective team is in place to guide the Indomitable Lions to victory, following their dismal performance in the most recent AFCON.

As a new appointee approved by the government, despite opposition from the Cameroon football federation, Brys will be put to the test in June when Cameroon faces Cape Verde and Angola in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The newly appointed coach of the Indomitable Lions, Marc Brys, arrived in Yaounde on Sunday evening, to a warm reception from fans and state authorities at the Nsimalen International Airport.

‘I wish to commend the officials for the professionalism in the selection process’ the Belgian highlighted in his first words. He expressed excitement, saying he is ready to start his job with the Indomitable Lions.

His appointment came on the heels of over a month of uncertainty about the selection of a new national team coach after Rigobert Song’s departure in February.

The 61-year-old is considered the choice of the government, given that the Cameroon Football Federation has refused to recognize his appointment on grounds that the federation was not aware of the process and that it was illegal for the state to take a unilateral decision.

The federation has maintained its stance against the appointment and has engaged in a search for its own coaching staff.

Meantime, coach Marc Brys is expected to sign his contrac
t this Monday, which will likely not involve FECAFOOT.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Five new records were set at the 2024 Ashanti Regional Athletics Super Zonals Competition, held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi.

Four of those records were set in the boys’ division of the competition, and one in the girls’ division.

Dennis Appiah Minkah, a final-year student of the Opoku Ware School (OWASS), made a new time in the boys’ 110-metre hurdles with 1371secs, breaking the old record set at 1384secs by Seidu. Baaba Mohammed of Jachie-Pramso Senior High School (SHS) in 2018.

The OWASS prodigy made another new record in the boys’ 400-metre hurdles, with a winning time of 5270secs as against the old record (5294secs) set by Evans Danquah of the T. I. Ahmadiyya SHS (AMASS) in 2018.

The T. I. AMASS’ 4 X 200-metre relay team also set a new time of 1:27:17secs to better the existing record of 1:27:54secs set in 2017.

Adu Yaw Gyasi, a final-year student of OWASS, set a new record in the boys’ high jump event with a jump of 206 metres to break the old record (203MTS), set by Kelvin Adu of Prempe
h College in 2019.

In the girls’ division, a new record was set by Blessing Obour of the Kumasi Anglican SHS (KASS) in the 3,000MTS with a new time of 10:03:12secs, as against the existing record of 10:08:46secs set by Lydia Ataa Afia of the Kumasi Academy (KUMACA) in 2012.

Meanwhile, Evans Gyan, a final-year student of the Antoa SHS was able to equal the old record in the boys’ pole vault with a jump of 360MTS.

The existing record was set in 2018 by Ali Yahaya of T.I.AMASS.

The 2024 Regional Athletics Super Zonals Competition saw Prempeh College emerging as champions of the boys’ division with 142 points, followed by OWASS (123 points) and T. I. AMASS (91.5 points).

It was the fourth time since 1988 that Prempeh College had won the Competition, having emerged champions in 2019, 2006 and 2002.

In the girls’ division, St. Louis SHS were crowned the winners with 150.5 points, followed by T. I. AMASS (114 points) and KASS (94 points).

More than 40 schools participated in the Regional Schools and Colleges
Athletics Competition, involving some 22 events in accordance with the IAAF rules.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The 3rd Edition of the Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon has been fixed for Saturday, August 3, 2024.

The race is part of activities earmarked for the celebration of the annual Homowo Festival by the Gas.

A statement from the organisers, Medivents Consult, said, this year’s race would be in two categories; 21 and 10-Kilometers.

It said the race has been endorsed by the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) and it is expected to attract the best of athletes across the country.

The statement said this years’ event would also start at the Accra Sports Stadium and finish at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

It added that, the race which is one of the biggest in the country would also be preceded by a two-day Sports Fair, where there would be a platform for sports businesses to network, share ideas and also exhibit their products and services.

According to the statement, registration code for the race would be release in the course of the week to enable interested participants to register.

It noted that, the organisers would a
lso announce dates for the launch of the race and sponsors.

The 2023 Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon was won by Kooga Atia and Juliana Zakat.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Stephen Richard Oben Head Coach for the Ghana Amputee Football (GAF), has expressed confidence in the national amputee football team the Black Challenge, as they prepare for the Africa Amputee Cup of Nations (AAFCON) competition in Cairo, Egypt.

The team began their 12-day training camp ahead of the tournament, which would kick off on April 19-29, 2024.

Speaking to the media, Coach Obeng said his side were ready to defend the tittle again if the needed support and motivation were to be given to them.

He said, ‘we are ready to make history once again if we get the support and motivation from Ghanaians’.

‘Yes, we are under pressure to win the title for the third time since the Black Stars couldn’t make it in the just ended Africa Cup of Nations people are sending me messages on my social media asking for the trophy.’

Madam Christiana Nkrumah Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Amputee League Clubs Association (GALCA) said, ‘we are here to introduce the GAF team to the society, individuals, the public and
to private companies that from today the team would be going for camping towards the Egypt competition.

‘We can assure Ghanaians that if we give the team the needed support, they would bring the cup back to Ghana.’

Captain of the team, Richard Arthur Opentil also called on Ghanaians to support them in prayers ahead of the tournament.

‘We are starting the journey to Cairo as defending champions we are calling on Ghanaians to support us in prayers for us to bring the cup back home.’

Mr. Emmanuel Akpabli, Welfare Commissioner, commended Twellium Industries for their support and called on other companies for more support.

He said, ‘Twellium campany has done so well for the team, they are providing us drinks, water anytime we have an event and they have also donated an undisclosed among of money for the team’.

He said, ‘we are appealing to the government, individuals, private sectors to support the team as they are preparing for their third tittle in Egypt the team needs resources.’

Source: Ghana News Agen
cy

Mr. Kwame Asuah Takyi the Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has pledged to recruit five members of Ghana’s Armwrestling team into the service following their exploits at the just-ended 13th African Games.?

He also assured that two personnel from the Ghana Immigration Service, ICO Nii Otoo Larkyne and Assistant Inspector Edward Yamoah Asamoah who also participated in the competition would be promoted.?

The team, made up of seven members from the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF) secured 12 medals out of the total 41 won.?

The five civilians were Yasmine Moro, Blessed Nunoo, Mary Quaye, Rashida Abbass and Godwin Sackey.?

DSI Anita Wiredu Mintah, deputy coach of the Black Princesses was also commended for her role in helping the Black Princesses win gold.?

Mr. Asuah Takyi made this known after the Ghana Armwrestling Federation, led by Mr. Charles Osei Asibey together with athletes presented medals won at the games.?

The Comptroller-General speaking during the short ceremony expre
ssed excitement having seen galant men and women from the service hoist the flag of Ghana high.?

‘Five of the medallists are civilians, I want to assure you that with my management, we would recruit them into the service. Where they have taken Ghana and the Immigration Service to, money cannot buy it so we have to honour them,’ he said.?

He said sports, during the early years was used as a tool to portray and brand Ghana, hence the need to show appreciation to these sportsmen and women.

He applauded the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) for a successful hosting and organization of the games.?

Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, who doubles as President of Armwrestling Federation of Africa thanked GIS for the honour.?

He said the Ghana Immigration Service had supported the Ghana Armwrestling Federation in achieving loads of success since its inception in 2016.?

‘Our team is dominated by Police Officer and Immigration Officers and our coach for the national team and captain are all Immigration Officers,’ he said.?

The Ghana Armwrestling Federation scooped 41 medals out of the total 69 won by team Ghana at the Africa Games.?

Source:Ghana News Agency

The Cameroon Football Federation, Fecafoot, early Wednesday expressed surprised and dissatisfaction after the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, announced the appointment of a new head coach of the national football team.

Belgian tactician, Marc Brys will henceforth pilot the Indomitable Lions, but this announcement has pushed the Federation to react.

Fecafoot said they were never aware of the singing of Marc Brys, as they were also informed via a communique.

‘The Cameroon Football Federation learned, at the same time as all Cameroonians, of the appointment to positions of responsibility within the National Senior Men’s Football Selection.’

The Federation also said the appointment violated articles of a decree passed in 2014.

‘FECAFOOT expresses its great astonishment at this act which is contrary to the terms of Decree No. 2014/384 of September 26, 2014 relating to the organization and operation of national football teams.’

‘This decision taken unilaterally comes at the very moment when FECAFOO
T has agreed to follow the instructions of the President of the Republic by providing its frank collaboration with a view to achieving appeasement beneficial to the future of our dear Indomitable Lions. FECAFOOT intends to shed light on this regrettable situation, just as it will communicate without delay on the reaction it intends to have.’ A communique read.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

By Biwah Bryan

The Cameroon Football Federation, Fecafoot is at odds with the Minister of sports’ appointment of Marc Brys as the head coach of the Indomitable Lions alongside

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Fecafoot expressed its disapproval of the appointment, stating that the technical selection process for the head coach position falls under their jurisdiction.

Fecafoot stated in their letters that According to the 2014 regulation signed by President Paul Biya, Fecafoot is entrusted with the administrative, sports, and technical management of national football selections.

The fédération equally revealed that they had proposed diligent candidates for the position of head coach to the government but the appointment was made without their consent or involvement, and as a result, the federation cannot acknowledge these appointments.

In the fédérations concluding statement, they called for collaboration that respects the applicable laws and regulations, urging the M
inister of Sports to take note of Fecafoot’s position.

The appointments were approved by President Paul Biya, according to a communique.

Source: Cameroon News Agency