Category: Athletic

Accra, Dec. 26, GNA – The second edition of the Freedom Wave concert lived up to its billing as more than 40, 000 fans attended the show at the Accra Sports Stadium on Christmas Day.

Hosted by Shatta Wale and Medikal, the Freedom Wave concert was a gigantic musical showpiece as fans from all walks of life witnessed some amazing performances.

Shatta Wale, who made a triumphant entry to the stadium with a long convoy of plush cars, demonstrated his unique stagecraft with some dazzling performances.

As he did at the first concert, Shatta Wale thrilled the thousands gathered with some spectacular performances until the morning of Boxing Day.

His cohort, Medikal, also didn’t disappoint on the night, as he left patrons stunned with some thrilling performances.

The award-winning rapper had fans cheering him on and mimicking the lyrics of some of his groundbreaking singles, including “La Hustle,” “Omo Ada,” “Ayekoo,” and many more.

The jam-packed night also witnessed some amazing performances from the likes of Larruso, Wendy Shay, Sista Afia, Quamina MP, Kofi Jamar, Black Sherif, and Phrimpong, among others.

With tickets going for as little as GHC20, the second edition of the Freedom Wave would go down in history as one of the most successful music concerts in Ghana.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Fifa is investigating how celebrity chef Salt Bae and a number of other people gained “undue access” to the pitch at the end of the World Cup final in Qatar.

Salt Bae, the Turkish chef whose real name is Nusret Gokce, was pictured holding and kissing the World Cup trophy while celebrating with Argentina players after their win over France.

Fifa rules state the trophy can only be held by a “very select” group of people, including tournament winners, Fifa officials and heads of state.

In a statement to BBC Sport, a Fifa spokesperson said: “Following a review, Fifa has been establishing how individuals gained undue access to the pitch after the closing ceremony at Lusail stadium on 18 December.

“The appropriate internal action will be taken.”

Salt Bae owns a chain of luxury steakhouses and rose to fame in 2017 after his technique for preparing and seasoning meat became an internet meme.

Many current and former footballers, including Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham, have eaten at Salt Bae’s restaurants.

In November, during the World Cup, he posted a video of himself embracing Fifa president Gianni Infantino, with whom he was later pictured in the VIP seats at a game with Brazil legends Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu.

Messi appeared to ignore Salt Bae in the hectic scenes after Argentina’s win as the chef tried to get his attention.

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra, Dec. 21, GNA- The Local Black Stars of Ghana known as the Black Galaxies will leave Accra for Egypt on Saturday, December 24 to continue their preparations for the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) billed for Algeria next year.

The Black Galaxies, guided by Coach Annor Walker has been camping at the Ghanaman Centre of Excellence at Prampram for about a fortnight now gearing up for the biennial tournament.

The team would engage in several friendly matches whilst in Egypt to fine-tune preparations for the competition which kicks off on Friday, January 13.

Ghana, a two-time finalist in 2009 and 2014 will be hoping to clinch the ultimate trophy to show the world the depth of talent that abounds in the country.

Ghana is in a tricky group alongside defending champions, Morocco, Sudan, and Madagascar in Group C.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Dec. 21, GNA-His Majesty King Mohammed VI has received in the Throne Room at the Royal Palace in Rabat the members of the National soccer Team after their brilliant performance in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

This audience reflects the high solicitude of His Majesty the King for young people and the special interest that the Sovereign grants to the sports sector in general and soccer in particular.

It follows the historic and unprecedented achievement made by the National Team, which reached the semi-finals, the first and most resounding success of its kind of Moroccan, Arab and African soccer, during the finals of the global sporting event.

Tens of thousands of Moroccans thronged the capital on Tuesday to welcome home their national football team, the first Arab and African squad ever to reach the semi-final of a World Cup.

The team and their coach Walid Regragui waved from an open-topped bus as they were driven from the airport and around central Rabat, accompanied by dozens of police cars and motorbikes with flashing lights and wailing sirens.

Many supporters, clad in the team’s kits and waving red flags, had waited hours to see their heroes.

Members of the national football team, after their outstanding performance in the FIFA World Cup – Qatar 2022, have also been received by His Majesty the King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and Prince Moulay Rachid, at the Royal Palce, where His Majesty,.

This reception reflects the high care that the King has always surrounded the youth with, and the special attention he gives to the sports sector in general and football in particular. It follows the historic and unprecedented achievement of the national team, which managed to reach the semi-finals, in the first and most splendid brilliance of its kind for Moroccan, Arab and African football in the finals of this global sporting event.

During this ceremony, the king decorated the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fawzi Lakjaa, the national team coach, Walid Regragui, and the players who were accompanied by their mothers with royal decorations.

During this audience, the Sovereign decorated president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lakjaâ, the coach of the National Team, Walid Regragui, and the players of the national team, who were accompanied by their mothers, with Royal Wissams.

HM the King has also given His High Instructions for the awarding of Royal decorations to the entire technical and medical staff of the national team in recognition of the exceptional work done.

Thereafter, HM the King, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, posed for a souvenir photo with the members of the national team and the mothers of the players present.

On this occasion, the members of the national team presented HM the King with souvenirs as an expression of their gratitude to the Sovereign for His support throughout this world competition.

The reception by HM the King of the players accompanied by their mothers is a tribute to these Moroccan women who have instilled in their children the values of patriotism, sacrifice and national belonging.

It is also an expression of the place that the Sovereign grants to the Moroccan woman as a pillar of the family and society in general.

The reception that the king allocated to the players is considered a tribute to these Moroccan women who were keen to teach their children the principles of patriotism, sacrifice and belonging to the homeland.

This reception reflects the high care that the King has always surrounded the youth with, and the special attention he gives to the sports sector in general and football in particular.

It follows the historic and unprecedented achievement of the national team, which managed to reach the semi-finals, in the first and most splendid brilliance of its kind for Moroccan, Arab and African football in the finals of this global sporting event.

By ranking 4th in the 2022 World Cup, the Altas Lions achieved a historic performance because it is unprecedented in the annals of football, for a North African, African, Arab and Muslim country.

The Atlas Lions, with their achievements have marked the history of football and have pushed several countries, as well as individuals from diverse fields, to believe in the potential of Morocco and Moroccans.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Dec. 21, GNA- Mr. Mustapha Ussif has disclosed that $5.1 million was spent on Ghana’s participation in the just ended 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Ghana budgeted $8 million on the Black Stars which would cater for per diems, flights arrangement, bonuses, medicals, equipment, logistics, hospitality, and appearance fees at the group stages.

This means that, the sector Ministry could not utilized $3 million after Ghana exited at the group stage, winning a match against South Korea and losing to Uruguay and Portugal.

The Black Stars were eligible to qualification bonus to the round of 16, hence missed out on a winning bonus despite picking a win against the Asian side.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday on Ghana’s appearance at the World stage, Mr. Ussif, who is also the Member of Parliament for Yagaba-Kubori Constituency said: “Our estimated budget at the group stage was $8.1million.

“Out of this estimated budget Mr. Speaker, our total expenditure for the group stage participation amounted to $5,171, 840.

“These expenditures covered appearance free, per diem, flight arrangements, medicals, equipment logistics, and hospitality.”

Source: Ghana News Agency

Thousands of Argentine fans paraded the country’s capital city in Buenos Aires to receive the 2022 World Cup winners in a colourful display.

The team in the early hours of Tuesday, arrived at the Ezeiza International Airport as the fans were waiting to catch a glimpse of the trophy after 36 years of thirst.

Paris Saint Germain forward, Lionel Messi led the South American side to tour around the city as they were seen in their blue and white colours with their gold medals around their neck.

Alberto Fernandez, President of Argentina, declared Tuesday, December 20 as a national holiday to honour Messi and the team for their hard work and dedication shown at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The World Cup winners were seen on an open bus, singing and chanting in their language as they held the coveted trophy in high esteem as a sign of how long they had waited since 1986. 

Argentina’s key man, Messi finished the Mundial with seven goals, behind France’s Kylian Mbappe who won the golden boot award with eight goals.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner rose to the task to win the golden ball award for the second time, having won it last in the 2014 World Cup where Argentina lost in the final to Germany. 

Argentina managed to triumph over France at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday in a dramatic 3-3 encounter which saw the South American side crowned champions after a 4-2 penalty shootout win over France.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra Hearts of Oak secured a crucial away 1-0 win over Nsoatreman in a matchday nine fixture of the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League (GPL).

Nsoatreman, coming into this clash, had won their four home games this season, but a second-half strike from Kwadwo Obeng Junior ensured the Phobians secured all three points as they moved up to second on the league table with 13 points.

Despite Hearts missing most of the first team players, including Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Dennis Korsah, Suraj Seidu, Gladson Awako and Konadu Yiadom, who are on national duty with the Black Galaxies, Hearts came out victorious.

However, Slavko Matic’s side displayed some good football at Nana Kronmansah Park, dominating play but failing to create any chances.

Both sides had numerous chances to take the lead but failed to hit the target in the first half.

Hearts of Oak came back strong in the second half and Obeng Junior put the Phobians ahead after a blunder from goalkeeper Daniel Afadzwu.

Nsoatreman made efforts to pull level later in the game, but the Hearts defence kept them at bay to secure maximum points at the end of the match.

Hearts would turn attention to the MTN FA Cup as they play Uncle T United on Boxing Day.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Dec. 21, GNA – Ghana’s Joseph Nii Quaye won the median edition of “Cycling for Christmas” Championship held at Olebu-Ablekuma in Accra yesterday.

He won the Men’s elite race of 70-kilometres with a time of 1hr,19mins and an average speed of 51.2 km/hr, while Victor Cudjoe and Naaba Michael finished second and third respectively with the same time build up and average speed.

In the Junior elite race, Issah Eliasu came first in a time of 48minutes 44 seconds followed by Abdul Majeed Sanda in 49: 30k/hr.

Haruna Mensah picked the third spot with a time of 50:43 km/hr.

In the 17-kilometer female category, Erica Sedzro came through the first spot in a time of 27mins 43 secs, followed by Jennifer Pappoe in a time of 36 mins 13secs with Haruna Nimatu placing third in close to 40mins 16secs.

The event was under the auspices of the Ghana Cycling Federation in collaboration with LizzyWorld Consult and sponsored by Lele Ghana, Kangen Ghana Ltd, Sports World and Nich Cocoa.

A total of 75 cyclists participated in the event.

Source: Ghana News Agency