GOVERNMENT'S FOCUS IS ON "FOOTBALL" - ATHLETICS COACH

National Athletics Coach Albert Nukpezah

Chief Coach of National Athletics Association Albert Nukpezah has expressed disappointment with the current trend of Government policies focusing on football at the detriment of the other sports.

He says the priority placed on football by past and present governments in the bid to satisfy a section of the sports fans in the country is the cause of the dwindling fortunes of the other disciplines.

He made this statement during an interview on his expectations in the wake of the IEA presidential debate on Tuesday.

Presidential candidates vying for the high office of the land were to engage each other in the finals of the series of the IEA debate which features prominently “Culture and Arts”.

Albert Nupkezah is expecting political leaders to take “the bull by the horn” in equalizing the opportunities for all disciplines.

“All along everybody admits the number one passion for the nation is football and watching now football and boxing is trying to take the place of Athletics gradually and I think concentrating on football and boxing should be synchronized with Athletics so that it can also growth.

"Those in the helm of Affairs should look at that direction too.”

Albert is also fretful that the government might stall in attempt to provide the team a financial boost.

He has stated that the Association would not depend financially on the government ahead of their preparations for the upcoming competitions. 

”For me am just concerned about the way athletics is been going down now some of are worried.

"Next year we are going to have series of competitions prior to the world Championship but as at now we have not started any preparations towards the competitions. 

"We have to focus on the common wealth games 2014 and the Olympic Games 2016. Next year we don’t want to depend on government so that we can focus on the upcoming events."

HEARTS APPOINT TORGBI AFEDE INTERIM CEO

Hearts of Oak Board Chairman Togbi Afede

Accra Hearts of Oak Board have appointed Executive Chairman Torgbi Afede XVI as CEO. The decision was reached following a meeting by the board’s members on Friday. He takes charge of duty in place of Fred Crentsil for the next 3 months following the resignation of the latter who has been voted into office as Vice President of the Ghana Football Association. Club Spokesperson Muheed Said said Torgbi is expected to start work on Monday until a substantive C. E. O is appointed.  

Concerns have been raised over the appointment due to fears that Torgbi would monopolize Accra Hearts of Oak. The new CEO in fact holds majority shares at the club already. However, club spokesman Muheed Said watered down such claims. He believes Torgbi has the backing of the supporters and the management of the club.

 Meanwhile Hearts of Oak are set to appoint Former Ashgold Coach David Duncan to lead the technical bench of the team following the dismissal of C. K. Akunnor. Muheed confirmed the deal was almost done and dusted.

SOURCE:  CHOICE SPORTS 

Ranuthon Ghana Foundation Launched

Eric Adae during the launch of the Ranuthon Ghana Fondation

Ghana will host the biggest long distance athletic event ever in West Africa.

The Runathon Foundation Ghana is an NGO committed to developing long distance athletes.

On Wednesday, it launched an audacious long distance race which comes off on the December 1 2012. 

The 50 kilometre Race for Peace 2012 Ultra-Marathon will begin at the Independence Square and extend through some principal streets of Accra including the newly constructed N 1 highway.

Canadian former 100m record Holder Ben Johnson is among several big name athletes expected to take part in the event which is attracting huge international participation.

Eric Adae is the president of the Runathon Foundation Ghana.

The former national athlete exclusively told Choice Sports that the main objective of the foundation is to develop athletes in the country by raising the standard of long-distance running.

For his part National Athletics Coach Albert Nupkesah commended the Runathon Ghana foundation for taking up the responsibility to help in the development of the sport. He called on the government and corporate organizations to support the initiative.  

By Seth Acquaye

Team Eritrea Dominates Tour Du Faso

Eritrea Cycling Team with Daniel Teklehaymanot in a race

Ghana’s team in the ongoin Tour Du Faso have expressed optimism about their performance in the Cycling Tour which is in its second day.

Ghana’s Isaac Anim and Henry Tetteh Djamgba placed 13^th  from the 44 cyclists who were engaged in the individual time trial on Friday. 

The promising team made up of Sanuel Anin, Henry Tetteh Djamgba, Isaac Sackey and captain Mohammed Amin finished 8^th , out of 22 countries which particpated in the team trial which was won by African Champions Eritrea. 

Eritrean champ Daniel Teklehaymanot made thirty nine minutes and eleven seconds; two minutes fifty-seven seconds ahead of Ghana’s Samuel Anin. 

Daniel Teklehaymanot, who is now a professional rider with the new Australian Pro Continental cycling team Green Edge, was the 2010 African Cycling Champion by winning the individual time trial and team time trial at both senior and under-23 levels.

Communications Director of the Ghana Cycling Federation Denis Moore who is with the team in Burkina Faso told Accra Based Choice FM,

“Ghana would do better in the road race which would climax the cycling tour on Sunday.

"It was quite an impressive outing for Ghana today and that does means Ghana Cycling is really making headways in the sport. I mean the improvement is that Anin is trailing the Eritrean champion by just two minutes. 

"Ghana’s Chances are very bright, the lights are already lit, everything is clear so I think all is said and done is wonderful news for Ghana and is progress for Cycling”. 

If team Eritrea wins this edition of the African championship, it would be its third consecutive continental cycling championship. 

By Seth Acquaye  

The Greater Accra under - 20 Youth Handball Tournament has been slated for November 14 and 16 2012 at the Tennis Courts of the Accra Sports Stadium.

According to National Team coach George Bankole, the Championship is meant to offer young players an opportunity to fine tune ahead of the start of any competition.

He also revealed that the exercise would feature scouts who would hunt for talent for the various National teams.

"Because they have not been playing for a long time we decided to organise this one for them so that even as they engage in this home events it would keep them in form for competetions ahead"

Talents scouts would also come around to watch them whilest they bpaly and some of them could have the opportunity to play in the national team". said George Bankole.

Source : CHOICE SPORTS

Ricemaster presents GH ¢ 100,000 cash to Stars

Official food sponsors of the Black

Star Ricemaster has presented GH ¢ 100,000 to the Ghana Football Association in fulfillment of a sponsorship deal for this season.

Ricemaster, presented the cheque to the President of the GFA Kwesi Nyantakyi at a short ceremony in Accra on Wednesday.

The money is the company's sponsorship fee for the Black Stars for the 2012/13 season.

GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi receiving the package from the sponsors

Nyantakyi who received the money on behalf of the team said it would serve as a major boost for the Black Stars as they prepare for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in January.

"We are really grateful to Ricemaster's for their support for the Black Stars over the years. This money comes at a time that we are preparing for the Cup of Nations," Nyantakyi said.

Ahmed Halawi, a senior management member of Ricemaster, said they are delighted in making money ready for the national team as it prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana were drawn in Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations where they will face DR Congo, Mali and Niger.


Source : CHOICE SPORTS

CORPERATE SPORTS CHALLENGE 2012

CORPORATE SPORTS CHALLENGE 2012 

DECEMBER 1ST 2012   EL-WAK SPORTS STADIUM

Get Your Boots Ready If You Are A Corporate      Organisation.

A Prospective annual sports festival is about to hit the city in a short while. 

A Sports Fiesta for corporate dwellers, has been scheduled to take place on the 1st of December, 2012. at the El Wak Sports Stadium in Accra. 

The games organised by the Peace Band Ghana, would bring together workers from various corporate institutions to participate in a variety of sports events.

The main objective of the games is to promote peace and to offer an opportunity for workers to shake of the stress from year round activities.

Admission would be free as competitors look to dazzle the public with somber skills and most importantly win the coveted prizes at stake. 

Source: Choice Sports