41st MTN SWAG Awards fixed for June 4

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), wishes to bring to the notice of the public that, the 41st MTN SWAG Awards, has now been fixed for Saturday, June 4, at the Banquet Hall, State House, Accra.

A statement from the secretariat said, the Association initially fixed Saturday, May 28, for the event, but had rescheduled it due to some organisational challenges.

According to the statement, the new date, Saturday, June 4, takes precedent over the original date, but noted that, the night would still be graced by His Excellency Jon Benjamin, British High Commissioner to Ghana and Mr Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, Minister of Youth and Sports.

The statement, also reminded all award winners to contact the secretariat on Friday, May 27, between 8am and 5pm for their invitation cards to the event.

It added that, award winners can also reach the secretariat on 0244679552/0268553341 for further enquirers.

The 41st MTN SWAG Awards, the longest running sports event in Ghana, would seek to confer honours on 26 sports men and women.

It would be sponsored by communication giants MTN Ghana, with support from Activa International Insurance, Ghana Free Zones Board, CDH Insurance, NLA, Stanbic Bank, Guinness Ghana Limited, Data Bank and Alisa Hotels.

41st MTN SWAG Awards fixed for June 4

MTN-Ghana to headline 41st SWAG Awards

Communication Giants MTN Ghana Limited, will remain the headline sponsors for the 41st Edition of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards night.

This was after a successful meeting with officials of MTN Ghana and the Executive Committee of SWAG.

The 41st MTN-SWAG awards will be held at the Banquet Hall State House, Accra on Saturday, May 28 and it is aimed at conferring honours on spots men and women who excelled in 2015 sporting Calender.

A statement signed by William Dodzi Ezah, General Secretary of SWAG said, the event would remain “MTN-SWAG Awards Night” making it the sixth consecutive year, since the two bodies joined hands in the sponsorship agreement.

According to the statement, the 41st MTN-SWAG Awards would coincide with the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the communication giants as well.

The statement said, MTN-Ghana has over the years been satisfied with their relationship with SWAG, hence the decision to renew the contract after the expiration of the last contract in 2015.

It said, the MTN-SWAG Awards, one of the longest running sports events in the country, would officially be launched on Monday, May 16, at the head office of MTN-Ghana at Ridge.

The headline sponsors, would use the launching to announce their package for the 41st MTN-SWAG Awards, whilst SWAG would also use the occasion to announce to the public details of this years event.

In all 26 sports men and women drawn from the various sporting disciplines would be honoured on the night for their performance in the year 2015.

Below is the list of nominees and award winners; Sports Personality of the Year: Andre Ayew, Asamoah Gyan, Yusif Basigi, Bashiru Hayford, Footballer of the Year; Andre Ayew, Asamoah Gyan, Harrison Afful, Premier League Star of the Year

Eric Opoku (Ashgold), Kennedy Ashia (Liberty Pros), Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars), National Team of the Year; Black Queens     – The female national team, Golden Rackets   – National Tennis Team, Coach of the Year; Yusif Basigi (Black Queens, Hasaacas Ladies), Bashiru Hayford (Ashgold), Henry Quansah (Golden Rackets), Professional Boxer of the Year; Richard Commey, Amateur Boxer of the Year; David Bawa, Athlete of the Year (male); John Ampomah, Athelete of the Year (female); Nadia Eke, Para-Athlete of the Year; Patrick Yaw Obeng, Female Hockey Player of the Year; Jonny Botsio, Female Hockey Player of the Year; Nafisatu Umaru, Table Tennis Star of the Year; Felix Lartey, Bernard Joe Sam, Emmanuel Commey, Derrick Abrefa, Judoka of the Year (female); Szandra Szogoli, Judoka of the Year (male); Emmanuel Nartey (All Africa 60kg bronze),

Taekwondo Star of the Year; David Adjetey, Association Chairman/President of the Year; Frederick Otu Lartey of the Ghana Taekwondo Association (GTA), Discovery of the Year; Richard Seklorwu (long jump gold medallist, Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa), Joseph Tindan Kuyon (silver medalist, World Children Taekwondo Culture Festival in South Korea), Most Promising Star: Joel Fameyeh, Dedication and Valour: Stephen Oduro (Asante Kotoko), Lifetime Achievement Award: Sophia Okulley (women’s football), The Special Awards; Asamoah Gyan (sports philanthropy), Eben Annang Whyte (development of table tennis) and Police Women’s Hockey team (silver medalist, African Clubs Championship).

MTN-Ghana to headline 41st SWAG Awards

Yaw Yeboah Yearns For More Playing Time at Lille

Ghana youth international, Yaw Yeboah is hoping for more playing time at French Ligue 1 side, Lille OSC after recovering from an injury that has kept him out for a while.

The player has struggled to get into the first team of Coach Frederic Anntonetti’s side, but, is hopeful that he will make that breakthrough soon.

“I have been working hard on my fitness and training regime and, hopefully it should begin to yield positive results soon.” He said in an interview.

Yeboah is on loan to Lille from English Premiership side, Manchester City who rates him very highly at the club. He could return to the English giants at the end of the campaign.

But, Yeboah is hoping to gain a lot more playing time at the French club before making a possible return to his parent club in England.

“I have not taken any decision yet concerning my future,” he said, adding that “a decision will be made at the end of the season”.

Yaw Yeboah Yearns For More Playing Time at Lille

Samuel Yeboah nears Hearts Of Oak switch

Accra Hearts of Oak are on the verge of acquiring Samuel Yeboah in their search for potent attackers ahead of the season.

The former Lions forward has been touted as a worthy replacement for the axed Gilbert Fiamanyo in the Phobian set up.

Accra Hearts Of Oak is reportedly overhauling the playing staff in their quest to end an eight year wait for domestic glory.

The ex Heart of Lions forward leads a team of new arrivals expected in the coming days after a dreadful pre-season form.

The Rainbow family last won in the league title in 2007/08 season largely down to their rampant attackers and the inclusion of Samuel Yeboah promised to end the domestic hoodoo.

The Oak family reportedly sorted out their differences with the camp of the player ahead of an imminent arrival in the coming week.

A dream attacking pair of Agbesi Doetse and Samuel Yeboah has been one of the main targets in the camp of the Phobian. Accra Hearts of Oak endured a torrid 2014/15 FCPPL thanks to their goal shy attackers.

Samuel Yeboah nears Hearts Of Oak switch