Category: Sports

Young Ghanaian boxer, Joseph ‘Jo Jo’ Awinongya Jr is set to make history once again as he prepares to step into the ring for the Golden Gloves Finals on April 13 at Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois.

Awinongya’s remarkable journey from amateur boxing to the cusp of championship glory has garnered attention from boxing enthusiasts worldwide.

The 20-time National Champion’s relentless spirit and dedication has propelled him to numerous victories, including a recent unanimous win over David Lona, securing his advancement in the USA Boxing competition.

With a blend of Ghanaian heritage and American upbringing, Awinongya Jr. has become a formidable force in the ring.

The Golden Gloves tournament, renowned for its rich history, has served as a platform for boxing legends since its inception in 1928. Past champions like Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have left an indelible mark on the sport, setting the stage for Awinongya Jr. to follow in their footsteps.

The upcoming Golden Gloves Finals not only showcase Awinongya Jr.’s boxing prowess but also offer fans a unique opportunity to meet the rising star in person. Attendees can interact with him, capture memorable photos, and secure autographs, providing an unforgettable experience for boxing enthusiasts and aspiring athletes alike.

Supported by a loyal fan base and sponsors like Hawk Joliet, Sibley Store Fixtures, and X’s and O’s Bar and Grill, Awinongya Jr. is poised for a thrilling showdown. With intense action and fierce competition expected, the Golden Gloves Finals promises to be an electrifying event for both seasoned fans and newcomers to the sport.

Source: Ghana Web

Hajia Maria, the mother of Ghanaian footballer, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku was at the King Power Stadium during Leicester City’s 3-1 win over Norwich in the English Championship.

Issahaku flew his mother from Ghana to England to watch him play for Leicester City in their English Championship match against Norwich City on Monday, April 1, 2024.

The 20-year-old prodigy showcased his talent as the Foxes bounced back from recent defeats to secure a win over Norwich City on Easter Monday.

Issahaku lasted for 88 minutes on the pitch before being substituted by James Justin.

Hajia Maria was visibly excited as she chanted her son’s name along with Leicester City fans for his exceptional performance on the day.

Source: Ghana Web

Stephen Richard Obeng, the Head Coach of the national Amputee Football team, the Black Challenge has invited 18 players for camping in preparation of the 2024 African Amputee Football Cup of Nations (AAFCON) in Cairo, Egypt from 19- 28 April 2024.

The camping according to the communique would commence on April 5, 2024, in Accra.

The defending champions are expected to defend the trophy they won in 2021.

A statement from the team stated that, the reigning champions who double as 2023 African Para Games Champions would pay a courtesy on the Minister of Youth and Sports before camping begins.

The players, consisted of eight professionals based in Turkey, have already arrived in Ghana, to join their local colleagues in camp.

The players including three goal keepers (Raymond Frimpong, Atsu Abor, and Razak Seidu).

The rest were Emmanuel Allotey, Fuseini Iddi, Richard Ekwam, Richard Arthur Opentil, Yussif Yahaya, Sampson Larbi Sarfo, Mohammed Mubarik, Hamza Mohammed, Prince Nyarko, Cephas Anum, Isaac Kwabena E
shun, Timothy Hayford, Micheal Essiem Aryeh, William Brown, and Abdul-Gafar Mohammed

Source: Ghana News Agency

Chosen Home Foundation Orphanage emerged victors of the maiden Dawn of the Orphanages Functional Fitness Tournament held at the Zulka AstroTurf Park, Dansoman. 

The competition, which featured four orphanages was part of Functional Sports League Ghana’s effort to promote national pursuit of an active and positive lifestyle change through functional fitness, nutrition, and mental health. 

Participants were taken through intense fitness tests full of endurance, strength, speed, and many others. 

At the end of the event, Great James Academy placed second while Shalom of Zion and Enough Grace foundation secured third and fourth places respectively.

Mr. Charles Owusu Ansah, President of Functional Sports League Ghana speaking in an interview with the GNA Sports said orphanages lacked development hence the need to engage them in such initiatives.

‘We want to identify the talents of these young ones. These orphanages have a lot of talents in there that we do not look at so we want to develop them not only for f
unctional sport. We can get athletics competitors, weightlifters, martial arts, sprinters, footballers and other disciplines,’ he said. 

He said Functional Sports League Ghana would in the coming months hit Kumasi, Takoradi and Cape Coast with its fitness tournaments. 

Mr.Owusu Ansah called on Corperate Ghana to support the initiative as part of improving the health conditions of sportsmen and women. 

Participants were presented with trophies and some other prizes. 

Functional Sports League Ghana, an affiliate of the International Functional Fitness Federation was launched in November last year. 

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghanaian Premier League side Dreams FC secured a crucial away victory against Stade Malien in the first-leg quarter-final encounter of the 2023-24 CAF Confederations Cup.

Experienced striker John Antwi delivered two second half strikes to help Dreams FC secure a crucial advantage over their Malian counterparts ahead of the second-leg encounter.

Yoro Diaby had given Stade Malien the lead early in the second half after a scoreless first half, but the Ghanaian FA Cup champions came back stronger to win the game.

In fact, it was the first time in 24 years that a Ghanaian club had won an away fixture in the Confederations Cup since Accra Hearts of Oak in 2000.

With this away win, Dreams FC will certainly be in pole position to progress to the semi-finals as they eye a place in the finals of this year’s competition.

The second-leg encounter is scheduled to take place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Madam Juliana Addoyobo, Director of the Volunteers programme at the just ended 13th African Games has clarified that no allowances were promised to volunteers.

On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, there was a fracas between some volunteers and security services following the evacuation of the volunteers from their allocated residence at Games Village at the University of Ghana.

Some volunteers demanded that they are paid allowances that were promised prior to the start of the three-week sporting fiesta.

But a volunteer engagement letter sighted by GNA Sports, revealed that the no stipends were included in the contract.

And this was backed by Madam Addoyobo, who in an interview with an Accra-based TV station said no allowance were promised volunteers but they agreed to give them money for transportation at the end of the games.

‘With the transportation, no amount was promised or mentioned. Volunteerism has always been driven by passion, sacrifice and commitment and at no point in time were they offered any amount
to be paid to them,’ she said.

Some checks conducted by GNA Sports indicate that some of the volunteers had received the GHC200 transportation package on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 while majority rejected it.

This led to some disturbance at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium later on Tuesday evening but the Police were able to restore calm at the venue.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana has been given the nod to host the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) B U-17 Boys tournament scheduled for May,2024.

Ghana last won the bid to host the regional tournament in 2022, where they failed to make it past the semi-final stage.

The Black Starlets as part of getting gingered for the competition would be taking part in a four-nation tournament in Russia.

The team would face Russia, Serbia and Kazakhstan in an all play all format.

Coach Laryea Kingston’s side is currently in camp at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, preparing for the tournament, which is expected to kick off next month.

The WAFU B U-17 Boys tournament would also be a qualifier for the forthcoming TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Participating teams were Ghana, Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, and Niger.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A colourful sod-cutting ceremony has been done for work to start on an ultra-modern artificial pitch (Astroturf) at Senya Bereku, a community in Awutu-Senya West Constituency of the Central Region.

The project initiated by Mr. Eugene Kofi Bentum Arhin, 2024 Parliamentary Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is being sponsored by Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) to help improve the many sporting talents in Senya community and its environs.

Mr. Bentum Arhin was joined by Mr. Opoku Danquah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Dr. Dominic Eduah, Executive Director of the GNPC Foundation, and Nenyi Kweku Kormetey III, Acting President of Senya Traditional Area to cut the sod.

Mr. Danquah, CEO of GNPC, speaking at the ceremony, explained that funding for the construction of the astroturfs in the constituency formed part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to the society to help expand sports infrastructure in the Awutu-Senya Constituency.

He stated that another one would be constructed
at Awutu Bereku while an existing one at Bawjiase constructed by the immediate past MP, Mr George Andah will be refurbished to add up to three in the Area.

Dr. Dominic Eduah the Executive Director of the GNPC Foundation said the project expected to be completed within four months, would have an artificial pitch, floodlights and panel mesh fencing.

Mr. Bentum Arhin commended the GNPC for accepting the request to sponsor three Astroturf pitches in the constituency and hoped they would help promote sporting activities in beneficiary towns and their surrounding communities after completion.

He noted that the project site at the D/A Basic School in the Senya township was already the training ground for the youth and football teams in and outside the town.

He said football played a unique role in the development of the youth and expressed the hope that the projects will eventually enhance the development of football talents in the Awutu-Senya Constituency.

Speaking on other projects, he mentioned the road from
Bawjiase to Adieso and road from Agona Swedru which were in deplorable state but had been fixed by the Nana Akufo-Addo led government to facilitate the free movement of goods and services .

He said the on-going Agenda III project in the constituency which was about 90 percent complete were some of the testimonies of the good works of the NPP government.

He called on the people to remember him in their prayers and also come out in their numbers on December 7 to vote for him as their Member of Parliament and for Dr. Bawumia as President for more development projects in the area.

Madam Eunice Naalier, Awutu-Senya District Coordinating Director who represented the District Chief Executive Mr. Moses Acquah, commended Mr Bentum Arhin for his lobbying skills which has earned the District such important facilities.

She assured that the District Assembly will support, manage and maintain the project after completion to prolong its lifespan.

Nenyi Kormetey III who chaired the event expressed his gratitude to the G
NPC for the support and asked for more assistance for the vulnerable to be part of the society.

Source: Ghana News Agency