Allotey eyes world title

                                               Allotey with his manager Mr. Kwarteng (Tagor)

Newly crowned WBC International Silver welterweight champion Patrick Allotey on Tuesday presented his title belt he won recently to the Ghana Boxing Authority with the promise of going on to annex the WBC welterweight World Cup title in addition.

Known in boxing circles as “Poisonous Arrow”, Allotey stopped his Uganda born Swedish boxer Patrick Bogere in the 6^th round of their scheduled 10 round bout at the Water Front Congress SAS Radisson boxing arena in Stockholm, Sweden last Friday.

Flanked by his manager Mr.  Kwabena Amaning Kwarteng, an elated Allotey whose fight record now stands at 28 fights 22 knockout with no loss or draw stated that his victory has broken the spell of Ghanaian boxers who always fail to win bouts outside the country in recent times, “I believe this victory will inspire up and coming boxers to go out and bring honour to the country like I have done.”

Allotey addressing the media 

 

“Now my focus is on the WBC welterweight World Cup title, it is a tough tournament but I will do my best possible to win that title and possibly face multiple world champion Floyd Mayweather Jnr and help him suffer his first ever boxing defeat.”

 President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) Mr. Peter Zwennes congratulated the boxer for his sterling performance adding that victory is a great source of pride for the present GBA and a further testimony that the future of the sport in the country looks bright.

“With this performance Allotey together with the likes of George Ashie, Emmanuel Tagoe, Albert Mensah, Richard Commey, Frederick Lante Lawson as well as the Samir Brothers, Bastie and Issah among other hold the key to the future success of Ghana boxing.

He urged him to keep focus and never rest on his oars because he is now the target for all the boxers in his division.

Head trainer of Allotey, Coach Ofori Asare revealed that it was his first ever fight outside the shore of the country and expressed happiness at his mental fortitude and the way he handled himself against the hostile crowd who he event won over to his side during the bout.

Allotey’s manager Mr. Kwarteng thanked his boxer for repaying the investment put in him and promised to do his best and get him a shot at the world title which he tasked him not to disappoint himself and Ghanaians when the time comes.

Allotey (middle) flanked by GBA boss Mr. Zwennes (left) & his manager on the right

 

Ghana Boxing Authority suspense referee Banor

 Referee Barnor-Suspended

 

The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has suspended boxing referee-judge Roger Banor as a licensee of the Authority for four consecutive international/domestic boxing tournaments effective June 17^th for his abysmal showing during the Emmanuel Tagoe and Roland Pontillas fight at the Accra Sports Stadium on April 26….

Referee Barnor who officiated the said controversial bout came under serious condemnation from all quarters of the sport for what many described as open bias officiating during the WBA international fight between the two boxers which Tagoe won on points after recovering from a fourth round knockdown.

The thongs of condemnations which came his way were further cemented by former WBC Super featherweight champion Professor Azumah Nelson, boxing promoter Henry Manly-Spain as well as Ambassador Ray Quarcoo president of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF)

According to a letter dated June 17^th and signed by the Secretary-General of the GBA Mr. Patrick Johnson and addressed to referee Barnor noted that at a meeting held on June 4 the GBA Board unanimously decided that “your poor performance on the fight night constituted amongst other acts of misconduct and failure in your official duties for which the appropriate sanctions should be applied.”

The letter  copied to the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Federation (WBF), World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Organisation (WBO), World Boxing Union (WBU), Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC), African Boxing Union (ABU), Azumah Nelson and Henry Manly-Spain, continued  “You are therefore suspended as a licensee of the GBA for four consecutive international and domestic boxing tournaments effective June 17^th to which all boxing sanctioning bodies have been informed accordingly of this decision.”

The letter further stated that the board also took a very serious view of the interview granted unethically by him to various media and press houses after the fight in which referee Barnor unfairly castigated certain prominent fellow licensees of the GBA and renowned boxing personalities including former World Boxing champion Azumah Nelson and the promoter/manager Mr. Henry Manly Spain of GoldenMike Promotion Syndicate for their post fight observations.

Referee Barnor who announced his premature retirement from the sport only to rescind his decision following what he described as unfair criticism after the bout has been tasked by the board to render unqualified and appropriate apologies to Messrs Azumah Nelson and Henry Manly Spain which must be carried with equal prominence in the media as was the case in the various interview he granted.

Commenting on the decision president of the GBA Mr. Peter Zwennes said they adopted the report of the committee put up to investigate the issues to serve as a deterrent to him as well as others budding young referees  who might want to bring the sport to shame.

He disclosed that the GBA is also lodging a complaint with the Benin boxing federation over the behavior of judge Adohn Bertin who according to the GBA boss scored a lopsided score 118-111 during the fight. His scoring in recent times when he comes to Ghana have been questionable, he added    

“The Rules and regulations are there to guide every referee-judge, they should not distort or dissuade them but keep to them and do their best to interpret rules for the good of the sport.” He advised up and coming referee-judges.

 

We will beat Ghana-- Mali coach Carteron

Mali coach Patrice Carteron

COACH of the Malian national team, Patrice Carteron, says he will beat Ghana to ensure his charges become the first side to qualify for the quarter finals stage of the 2013 African Cup of Nations currently on-going in South Africa.

Mali, who currently leads Group B with three points after defeating Niger 1-0 Sunday night, was the first country to win a game at the tournament which has been plagued by drawn games.

For him, Ghana is a good side but he has better and a disciplined team that will triumph over the Black Stars, come tomorrow in their second group game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

“I watched Ghana’s game against DR Congo and I believe they should have won that game hands down but for the lack of tactical indiscipline on the part of the players they drew and I see that happening in our game against them.”

Malian midfielder Seydou Keita celebrates after scoring the lone goal against Niger

Speaking to Happy Fm from the team’s Protea Hotel in Nelspruit South Africa, Coach Carteron stated that he was mapping up a strategy to continue from where the DR Congo side left off against the Stars on Sunday, insisting that he will surely win to make sure Mali become the first country to make it to the next round. 

According to him, morale in camp after their win over Niger is very high and it will be one of the key factors as they go into their next game against the four-time African champions.

“We are having turbulent times back home and I believe a win over Ghana which will automatically see us qualifying for the quarter finals which will bring some joy and peace to the people of Mali.”

Black Stars players celebrating the opening goal of AFCON 2013

Although sounding very confident of beating Ghana, the coach revealed that he and his side are being cautious of a surprise from the young Ghanaian side who he believed played below their power in the opening game against Dr Congo.

“There are individually good players in the Ghana team who on a good day can cause havoc to any good side, so I will design a strategy to keep those players at bay and make sure they do not stop us from qualifying,”he added.

Zoomlion supports Supporters Unions to AFCON 2013

Dr Agyepong (right) presenting the dummy cheque to Dr. Omane Boamah(left) and Mr. Humado

In response to a request from various Supporters Unions to the management of Zoomlion Ghana Limited for sponsorship to the African Cup of Nations in South Africa, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, CEO of ZoomLion and Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies has presented a cheque of $50,000 to help government air lift Ghanaian supporters to support the Black Stars to victory.

“Supporters play a very huge role in the success of a team and I believe this presentation will go a long way to help make the players feel at home and to play their hearts out and end our 31 years of trophy drought at the Nations Cup in South Africa.”

“The present crop of players are determined to write their names in gold and as supporters all we can do is to give them our fullest support to ensure they deliver on their promise.”

Dr. Agyepong said the presentation was also in response to the initiative to send supporters to the AFCON by the President John Mahama during the farewell visit by the Black Stars players to him at the Castle Osu.

Going by the mantra “uniting the nation through sports and sanitation” the 2011 best entrepreneur of the Year tasked the traveling supporters to exhibit a high level of cleanliness and help make South Africa a clean country during the tournament.

The vociferous Supporters Union were also present at the ceremony

He urged Ghanaians to give the Black Star their full backing during the tournament, saying they started very well during their training period in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Omane Boamah coordinator for Ghana’s campaign at AFCON 2013 who received the cheque on behalf of the government commended Zoomlion for the gesture and called on other corporate bodies to follow of Zoomlion.

He further presented a 1000 pieces of Zoomlion branded polo shirts to the supporters and cautioned them to demonstrate the highest form of discipline while in South Africa.

"As responsible adults I expect you to be disciplined and to keep be good ambassadors of Ghana while in South Africa, he said

Dr Agyepong present the polo shirt Dr. Omane Boamah

He revealed that information he has received from South Africa showed that during the tournament it will be windy and called on traveling supporters to carry along protective clothes to be able to withstand the unfriendly weather in Port Elizabeth where the Black Stars would be based for their group games.

Caretaker Minister of Youth and Sports Clement Humado said without the supporter’s morale would be very low in the Black Stars camp team and called upon the privileged 1000 supporters to be at their cheering best to push the team to the top.

Kenyan Alex Kimeli wins 26th Accra Milo Marathon

Kimeli in a pose with Mr. N.A Adjin Tettey

For the second time in the 26-year-old history of the prestigious Accra Milo Marathon, a non Ghanaian has laid claim to the title as king of Accra, beating a field of over  about 7,000 runners to win the  a 42.2km race held yesterday.

Not even a false start at the starting point “The Point”, Nungua, could distract the 27-year-old Kenyan businessman Alex Kimeli who until yesterday was doing mini marathon as a part-time job, as he took a time of 2h: 26mins to cross the finishing line at the Dansoman Keep Fit Club.

Kimeli thus equals the feat achieved by Nigerian Gideon Hagack who won the 1994 version of the marathon.

The Kenyan, a surprised package of this year’s event dubbed “champions run the city”, said it was his first time ever of running a marathon race of such distance in his life as the farthest he has run previously was a 25km road race.

Alex Kimeli, approaching the finishing line

According to the frequent visitor to the country, he got to know of the Accra Milo marathon last year while taking part in a smaller competition in Cote d’Ivoire and decided to give it a try this year.

 Although not happy about the time he recorded, which he says was due to the lack of potent and stiff challenge from his competitors, he was happy that his vigorous three months training schedule has paid off with the winner’s medal at his first attempt at the Accra Milo marathon.

For his reward, Kimeli went home with a cool GH¢10,000, a winner’s trophy, a medal , a monthly supply of six cartons of Voltic mineral water for one year plus Milo products and souvenirs.

Managing Director of Nestle Ghana Ltd., Mr. Moataz El Hout presenting Kimeli with the winners trophy

First and second runners up in the mass sports event Joseph Yandal of the Ghana Police Service and  Seth Nyamaa-Boadi from the Central region received cash prizes of GH¢ 7,000 and GH¢ 5,000 respectively runner up medals, monthly supply of cartons of Voltic mineral water for one year, Milo products as well as souvenirs.

Defending champion William Akuka Awunime could only manage sixth position, while the silver jubilee first runner up Kassim Mohamed of the Ghana Air Force came fifth this year - leaving Raja Lagble from the Volta Region in fourth position.

Highly-rated Godwin Adukpo, winner in 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 could not finish the race whilst the most decorated in the history of the annual competition with triumphs in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003and 2006 David Zigah settled for a disappointing ninth position - one place better than last year’s 10^th position.

The ladies category saw last year’s runner up Elizabeth Bortsor from the Ghana Police Service taking a time of 3: 02:15secs to beat the second runner-up in the silver jubilee event last year and two-time champion in 1996 and 1999 Gifty Abbey of the Ghana Prisons Service to second place in a time of 3h: 08:21secs, while Josephine Kwakye also of the Police Service came in third place in a time of 3h: 13:33secs.

Bortsor receiving her trophy from Mr. El Hout,

Bortsor took home a GH¢ 10,000 cash reward, a trophy, medal, a monthly supply of five cartons of Voltic mineral water for one year plus Milo products and souvenirs, while Mrs. Abbey and Miss Kwakye received cash prizes of GH¢ 7,000 and GH¢ 5,000 respectively plus runner-up medals, monthly supply of cartons of Voltic mineral water for one year, Milo products and souvenirs.

The 5km Under-15 event saw 14-year-old Mustapha Alhassan beating Segbefia Seyeram and Philip Apuri to second and third place respectively to take home GH¢ 1,200 cash prize a trophy, medal, monthly supply of cartons of Voltic mineral water for one year, Milo products as well as souvenirs with GH¢ 800 and GH¢ 500 going for both runners up as well as monthly supplies of cartons of Voltic mineral water for one year, Milo products and souvenirs.

Bortsor displaying her trophy