Sports Ministry receives support from SIC towards Ghana's World Cup participation

Sports Minister Mr. Afriyie-Ankrah receiving the dummy cheque from Mrs. Awo Nkani
Ghana’s preparation towards a successful participation at the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil received yet another major boost on Tuesday when SIC Insurance Company Limited and its sister company SIC Life Ghana Limited teamed up to donate GH¢250,000 to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) .
SIC Insurance Company, which deals in general insurance donated GH¢150,000 with SIC Life which focuses on life insurance donated GH¢100,000.
The donation, which is a seed money for Ghana’s Brazil 2014 World Cup Campaign Project, thus makes both companies official partner bank of the Campaign Project.
Presenting the amount to the Minister for Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, Managing Director of SIC, Doris Awo Nkani, said her outfit was aware of the magnitude of the task ahead of the Ministry as they prepare to take team Ghana and its supporters to the biggest sporting showpiece in the world, the FIFA World Cup, hence they extending their hand of support to lessen the burden.
For his part, Managing Director of SIC Life, Mr. Aaron Issa Anafure, added  that if there was one sport that breeds peace and unites people from different divides, tribes, political parties, it is nothing else than football and for them  supporting such a venture comes with no second thoughts.
Receiving the donations, Afriyie-Ankrah noted that government’s initiative for supporting Ghana’s participation in the World Cup was aimed at promoting sports, tourism, and the rich culture of the country – thereby driving foreign investment.
“Not every supporter would be able to travel to Brazil so there is the need to make them feel a part of the World Cup in Ghana, hence we deciding to set up Fan Parks to enable them follow the Black Stars’ campaign every step of the way.
“We will place giant screens across the country at the  ‘Azonto meets Samba mega fans parks’ that will be dotted across all the 10 regions of the country  to ensure that supporters who cannot make it to Brazil to be a part of Ghana Village in Natal stayed behind to support the Black Stars to victory,” he added.

Badminton coach optimistic

Coach Shamo- head coach of the badminton team

Head coach of the national senior badminton team, Frank Shamo, is optimistic his team’s performance at this year’s All Africa Seniors Badminton Championships in Mauritius will mark an improvement over their quarter finals showing at the 2011 championships held in Ethiopia.

Ghana joined the rest of Africa for the bi-annual championships from August 14-20 and coach Shamo who flew out of the country together with his assistant Jacob E. Wilson and a team of five players, made up of three males for tournament, believes they have what it takes to bring back medals from this year’s championships.

Daniel Sam, Emmanuel Donkor and Abraham Ayittey will be defending the flag of Ghana in the male division while the good old Stella Amasah and Evelyn Botwe battle for honours in the female division.

In a chat with the Times Sports before the team’s departure on Tuesday night, the celebrated coach said the experience gained from past championships will come in handy for his players in competition.
The team will compete in the men and women singles and doubles, as well as mixed doubles.

While in Mauritius the team will also have the opportunity to participate in the Yonex Mauritius International Badminton championship, a Badminton World Federation (BWF) sanctioned future series event from August 21-24.

Ghana’s participation in the championships would consolidate the implementation of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Schools project dubbed "Shuttle Time" in the country to develop the sport from grassroots with equipment assistance from the BWF.

Team Ghana was led by BAG President, Mr. Nestor Galley, who doubles as a Council Member of the BCA. The team is expected back in Ghana on Monday, August 26, 2013.

Gimtrac extend services to Ghana

                                                   M.D of Gimtrac, Gerhard Ferreira
Gimtrac, a South African sports equipment manufacturing firm, has introduced its products onto the Ghanaian market with the view of helping provide assistance in the areas of manufacturing and supply for the development of sports in the country.

Having been involved in the supply and manufacturing of sports equipment in South Africa for the past 30 years, Gimtrac believe it is time to venture onto the Ghana market and help with infrastructure here because among other things the country has a stable political environment with a dynamic private sector willing to collaborate with foreign partners.

Managing Director of the company, Gerhard Ferreira stated that all their sporting equipment which are hand crafted and fully tested are exported to Germany, Saudi Arabia, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, England & the USA as well as some Africa countries.

Gimtrac, produces equipment for table tennis, handball, netball, tennis, basketball, hockey, badminton, cricket, rugby and football among others. They were major suppliers for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup, supplying the main stadiums with all the soccer equipment, training venues and home base camps with soccer equipment.

They also supplied the 2011 All Africa Games in Maputo with all the athletics and ball sports equipment as well as the Timetronics Electronic Timing System for the games.

Welcoming them, deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Joseph Yammin, stated that their arrival is timely as government prepares to put up a modern gym at Bukom and their products and expertises will be greatly needed.

According to him, Ghana abounds in great talents but lack the needed equipment to harness and build such talents into world class one but with the coming in of such an established brand Ghana would soon be on the road to claiming its rightful place in the sporting domain.

Acting Director General of the National Sports Authority, madam Alice Attipoe, emphasized the importance of infrastructure to the development of sports in the country and disclosed that her outfit will liaise with Gimtrac in that light.

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.