Kumasi Sports Stadium Estate Officer Caught "Drunk"

The Estate Officer of the Kumasi Sports Stadium has been caught drunk on the job by the Minister for Youth and Sports, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye during a surprise visit to the national stadium.

Nii Lantey, who since his appointment has been touring the country visiting the various stadiums and sporting facilities to check on improvements and ensure proper maintenance of state properties, took his visit to the Kumasi Sports Stadium and got perhaps a waiting surprise package, – a drunk estate manager’.

Sportscrusader.com investigations revealed that the Minister has already built a dossier on all the staff there (at the stadium) and his work paid off with the confirmation of meeting the officer drunk whilst at work.

The officer who had to meet the Minister upon arrival at the Stadium was was smelling of alcohol and slurring and could not express himself well when addressing the minister and his entourage.

Sportscrusader.com can confirm that the Sports Minister has plans of sacking the Estate Officer with immediate effect.

Kumasi Sports Stadium Estate Officer Caught "Drunk"

Gabon Set To Unveil "Samba" Mascot For AFCON 2017

Host of African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2017), Gabon is set to unveil later on Friday, the official mascot for the final next year.

The event is expected to be graced with the presence of newly elected FIFA president, Gianni Infantino.

 

The mascot named ‘Samba, the panther,’ will be the big attraction this Friday, March 25th 2016, of the football game between Gabon and Sierra Leone at the Stade de Franceville.

Samba is still unknown to the public, but on Friday its face will represent the African Cup of Nations 2017 Gabon.

Indeed, the panther was chosen to be the mascot of the event because it represents the country on sporting events across the globe to have a panther as the mascot of the event that will take place in January and February 2017.

Gabon Set To Unveil "Samba" Mascot For AFCON 2017

Kalusha Ousted As Zambian FA President

Kalusha Bwalya has been ousted as Football Association of Zambia President.

 

Kaluha, who was bidding for a third successive term as FAZ president, was beaten by Lusaka businessman and his longtime nemesis Andrew Kamanga by a slender margin.

Kamanga beat Kalusha by 163 votes to 156.

Richard Kazala is the new FAZ vice president after edging out incumbent Boniface Mwamelo, Mofya Chisala and Cephas Katongo.

Kalusha Ousted As Zambian FA President

"There Are No "Mafias" At Sports Ministry" - P.R.O.

Public Relations Officer of Ministry of Youth and Sports, Otoo Plahor has emphasized the need for the media to stop painting the image of ‘mafiarism’ at the Ministry something he said doesn’t utter well for its brand.

Previous Sports Ministers have hallucinated to the fact that there are some elements at the Sports Ministry management structure that do not share the respective vision of the various Minister and always want to have things done their way.

In a interview with sportscrusader.com, Mr Plahor said, “we are all new people here at the Ministry, so there is a need for us to set a new agenda that can lead to a positive branding of the here”.

Mr Plahor also emphasized the role of the media in this new agenda that will help streamline the vision of the current Sports Minister in his endeavors, so that he can achieve his prior priority.

He further stressed on the need for positive branding which will lead to more corporate organizations showing interest in sponsoring various events of the Ministry to augment their budget in developing all sectors.

"There Are No "Mafias" At Sports Ministry" - P.R.O.

Your Bitterness Shouldn"t Get To You - Sports Minister To Retired Footballers

Minister of Youth and Sports Nii Lantey Vanderpuye has told the Retired National Footballers Association of Ghana (RNFAG) and Retired Women National Footballers Association of Ghana (RWONFAG) that he is ready to involve them as major stakeholders in the game so that football can thrive.

Ghana for over 35 years has not won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, and, this unfortunate myth has been attributed to the bitterness of these former national heroes who have lamented over failed promises made them in the past.

In a interactive session with the retired footballers Hon.  Vanderpuye said, “it’s about time we break the spirit of abandonment and harmonize the relationship between you and the current administrators”.

The Minister who was part of the formation of these association also emphasized on his commitment to see to the welfare of all retired footballers regardless of them winning honours for the country or not.

He further entreated both associations to provide the list of all members and their current status so as to well be monitor the activities.

 

 

 

Your Bitterness Shouldn"t Get To You - Sports Minister To Retired Footballers

National Volleyball Championship Play-Off In Wa Next Month

The National Volleyball Zonal Championships has been scheduled to come off at the Wa Municipality in the first week of April in the Upper West Region.

The one week event will see five regions in the northern sector competing for the sole ticket to the national showdown later in the year.

The inaugural edition of the new format will see Northern region, Upper East region Brong Ahafo region and Ashanti region joined the host for the right to the national championship later in the year.

The week long event is scheduled to commence on the 1st April, 2016 at the regional capital in the Upper West Region.

Regions in the southern belt will also camp in Koforidua for their representatives in the final showdown with their northern counterparts.

This was disclosed to sports crusader by the President of the Ghana Volleyball Association (GVA), Mr Paul Atsu ahead of their arrival in the Upper West region early next month.

“Teams from Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Northern and Upper East regions will meet at Wa, for the Northern zone champions slated for April 1-7, 2016. The winner will then progress to meet their counterparts in the southern sector for the National championship.

“The remaining five regions will be camped in Koforidua for the southern zone championship that will start from June 5-10, 2016 at Koforidua.

“Winners of the two zonal championships will then meet later in the year for the national showdown at a neutral ground”, Mr Atsu told sports crusader exclusively.

National Volleyball Championship Play-Off In Wa Next Month

Lomotey Wins Dreams FC PoTM Award

Dreams FC named Emmanuel Lomotey as the club’s player of the month after another impressive showing from the midfielder in the sides second premier league against Bechem United.

 

The midfielder minutes after helping his side record a second successive victory in the Ghana Premier League, received the EMWL-DREAMS FC Player of the Match prize after being adjudged the best player of the month of February.

Emmanuel Lomotey receive his PoTM award

The national U-20 member becomes the second player to receive the award after striker Johnson Owusu Oppong, was also awarded for his impressive output against Ebusua Dwarfs on the opening day of the top flight league.

Lomotey Wins Dreams FC PoTM Award

Sports Crusader Lower Leagues Team of The Week

The Sports Crusader Lower Leagues Team of the Week is an initiative introduced by the fastest growing sports web portal in Ghana to demonstrate how Ghanaian players perform for their various clubs abroad.

To set the records straight, as we have always done, players are selected based on the following criteria:

1. The Coefficient of the league they play

2. The competition they are in (If they are not playing league matches)

3. Consistency

4. The competition they face from other players playing for the same position.

5. The positions they play

6. The number of minutes played in the game, and

7. The contribution of the player to the success of the game.

Jonathan Opoku bagged his seventh goal of the campaign for VVV away to Telstad to earn his place upfront in the Sports Crusader lower league team of the week. The forward is joined by Erixson Danso wh continues to hoist the flag of Ghana in the Belgian second tier league.

Razak Braimah edgeded out Lawrence Atti Ziggi in goal post whiles Joseph Baffuor and Phil Ofosu Ayeh continued their mission to seal Bundesliga football for Brawnasweich

Below is the Crusader Lower League Team of the Week and the number of minutes each player played.

1. Razak Braimah-90’ Cordoba

2. Isaac Donkor-90’ Bari

3. Phil Ofosu Ayeh-90’ Bransweich

4. Joe Baffuor- 83’ Bransweich

5. Maxwel Acosty-77’ Latina

6. Bright Addae- 90’ Ascoli

7. Divine Naa-90’ NAC

8. Mohammed Fatawu- 90’ Almeria

9. Jonathan Opoku- 90’ VV Venlo

10. Ericxon Danso- 90’ Emmen

11. Raymond Gyasi- 85’ Emmen

Reserves

12. Eric Ocansey- 85’ Eupen

13. Elvis Manu- 15’ Huddlesfield

14. Derrick Asamoah- 10’ Carlisle

15. Kingsley Sarfo-90’ Sirius

16. David Atanga-90’ Leifering

17. Lawrence Atti- Leifereing

18. Masahudu Alhassan -20’ Perugia

Sports Crusader Lower Leagues Team of The Week

Lionel Messi A "New" Award For The First Time

Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi for the first time he has won the award as Spain’s La Liga player of the month for January.

 

The award has been in existence since the beginning of the 2013-14 primera division season, but the five-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner had not won it until now. Barcelona’s star man finally won the award at the 23rd time of asking after scoring six goals in as many league games in January.

 

La Liga explained on its official website how Messi ‘further demonstrated his quality’ via ‘his great form in the first month of the year’.

They added that ‘this accolade, which is awarded by the competition’s main sponsor, and voted for by writers, recognises Messi’s outstanding displays and his goal-scoring prowess, which make him one of the most feared strikers in the division’.

 

The 28-year-old scored a hat-trick against Granada as well as scoring in victories over Athletic Bilbao, Malaga and Atletico Madrid to take his total of league goals for the season to 12.

Lionel Messi A "New" Award For The First Time

Kotoko Team Will Not "Over Peak" - Duncan

Kumasi Asante Kotoko head coach, David Duncan has admitted the late start to the Ghana premier league has forced him to strategise a well-planned program to keep his team in shape as the start to season draws close.

 

The Porcupine warriors have been the in-form team during the off-season and with the performance shown has made them favourites to reclaim the crown as premier league they lost to regional rivals Obuasi Ashantigold.

 

The 23-times Ghana premier league champions ended the 2014/15 Ghana premier league season trophy-less after losing the MTN FA cup final to Medeama SC and this made the management and head coach reinforce the squad and the depth available within the squad has been evident for all to see with the Michael Osei led reserve team win the maiden GHALCA First Trust G6 tournament.

Coach David Duncan told the club’s website that, he has been doing measured preparation in order not to over-work his players and render them tired before the season kicks off.

 

“We are doing measured preparation so that by the time the league is underway, the team will not over peak. Technically, we are guarding against over compensation,” he said.

 

He added, “We are not used to situations like this and it puts us in a catch 22 situation. If you leave the players redundant, they will go rusty. If you are playing too many matches too, you may eventually exert too much energy.

 

 

Kotoko will play WAFA in their first game of the 2015/16 GPL season when the league commences on February 20.

Kotoko Team Will Not "Over Peak" - Duncan

SWAG calls on Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports, Youth and Culture

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) on Thursday, held a meeting with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture at Parliament House, in Accra.

The meeting was aimed at discussing major issues confronting the development and promotion of sports in the country.

It also focused on how best the Association can help in policy fomulation and infuence on sports in the country.

The SWAG delegation was led by Kwabena Yeboah – President with William Ezah – General Secretary, Thomas Boakye-Agyemang – Deputy General Secretary and Charles Osei Asibey – Executive Member.

Honourable Kobina Woyome – Chairman of the Commitee congratulated the Association for taking the initiative and urged SWAG to continue with the relationship.

“Such meetings and collaborations will help resolve the numerous challenges confronting the nation in Sports.

“We can resolve not only problems in sports but also in the area of sports journalism, which plays a key role in Ghana’s sports industry.” Hon. Woyome stated.

SWAG calls on Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports, Youth and Culture

Ghana U-21 Hockey Team Neglected In Camp

The Ghana U-21 national hockey team is struggling to cope with the hardship in camp as they gear up for the African youth hockey tournament in Zambia scheduled for March, 2016.

 

A perennial challenge facing Ghana sports is raising funds or even having the needed financial backing from the youth and sports ministry to embark on successful tournament. Recently under ex-sports minister, Mustapha Ahmed, the sports budget allocation for sports in the 2016 was slashed drastically and this got the various heads and administrators of the less-financed disciplines crying over how to raise funds for their respective disciplines.

 

From a reliable source, sportscrusader.com can reveal the national U-21 hockey team who are in camp at the hockey stadium are struggling to with finance as they fine tune preparations to the hockey youth tournament.

 

The source said, prior to converging at the camping base, the players had to foot their bills to and from training and when they asked for their money paid in return, the answer was like always, ‘there’s no money’.Ghanaian sportsmen who ply their trade as hockey players have no hope in the game that only yields suffering dividends.

 

The U-17 suffered a similar fate of neglect and it looks like there’s hope for the game among the youth.

Ghana U-21 Hockey Team Neglected In Camp

Pictures: See Photos Of First "Accra Works Out" Session

See Photos Of First ‘Accra Works Out’ Session

Primeval media Ghana’s monthly de-stressing and aerobic session held at on the last Saturday of every month came off this Saturday at the multi purpose court at the Accra sports stadium.

sportscrusader.com shares exclusive images of the participants during the session.

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Accra Works Out – sportscrusader.com

Pictures: See Photos Of First "Accra Works Out" Session

Use sports to create opportunities for young Africans - Kofi Annan

Former UN Secretary General Dr Kofi Annan has called for greater focus on the provision of opportunities and resources for young Ghanaians and Africans through sports.

The 77 year old who is also a lifetime UN Humanitarian & Peace Ambassador, made the remarks when he toured the Eastern region based Right to Dream Academy in Senchi.

He was accompanied by his wife Nan and son Kojo Annan who is also the Founder of the soon to be launched Africa 10 Project.

Kofi Annan said the Right to Dream model should be the template for education and sports excellence.

Use sports to create opportunities for young Africans - Kofi Annan

NSA goes hard on occupants of Corporate Boxes at Accra Sports Stadium

The Management of the National Sports Authority (NSA) has descended heavily on occupants of the Corporate Box of the Accra Sports Stadium, after efforts to eject them failed.

Sportscrusader gathers that most of the occupants are occupying the corporate boxes without any form of payment to the NSA, thereby putting undue pressure on the resources of the NSA.

Most of the occupants have been for years without paying any rent or utility bills to the NSA, hence the decision to eject them.

The NSA in a bid to streamline their activities and commercialize some of its properties, sent notices to some occupants of the Corporate Boxes at the Stadium to quit by the end of June 2015.

However, the occupants failed to heed to the warning of the NSA and subsequent for them to vacate by December 31 was also not adhered to.

The NSA according to information reaching sportscrusader had no option than to lock the six out of the eight offices, to forcibly eject the occupants.

A visit to the offices saw most of the offices with locked welded metals hence the occupants were unable to access the office.

Notable among the occupants were, Francis Adjetey Sowah, former vice president of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) and President of Africa Amputee Football Federation who uses the office as secretariat of the continent body that governs amputee football, Group Captain Gyimah Kwakye, former Security Cordinator of the NSA and Mr. Kuuku Dzanie who uses one of the offices for private purposes.

According to information gathered by the sports crusader, the NSA will renovate the office and rent them out to new clients who are ready to pay for the use of the offices.

NSA goes hard on occupants of Corporate Boxes at Accra Sports Stadium

Ghanaian takes up international appointment at Blind Sports Association

Mr. Frederick Assor, an Executive Member of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC), has taken up an international appointment with the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA).

Mr. Assor, has been appointed as a member of Five-Aside Football sub-committee under the (IBSA) responsible for supervising the organisation of blind football in the world.

Mr Assor, a graduate of University of Ghana, with B.A in History and Religion, will be in charge of English speaking Africa, whilst Mr. Toussaint Akpweh, will handle French speaking part of Africa according to his letter of appointment from the IBSA.

The Ghanaian has been an advocate blind sports in Ghana, and is the Executive Director and Founder of Blind Support Ghana, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO).

Mr. Assor expressed his delight over the appointment in interview.

“It is a great honour to be given such an appointment, i will do my very best to the development of blind sports in Ghana.

“I am looking forward to contributing my very best to the IBSA and will ensure Ghana benefits from my appointment to the international body”. He stated.

Mr. Assor was member of the team that represented Ghana at the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo.

Ghanaian takes up international appointment at Blind Sports Association