Greater Accra Crowned Beach Soccer Unity Cup Champions

The Greater Accra team emerged winners of the first edition of the Beach Soccer Unity Cup after defeating the Volta region 4-3 in the final.

Despite the fact that peace, friendship and unity formed the theme of the tournament, the final was still fiercely contested between the two outstanding regions. There was very little separating Volta and Gt Accra and ultimately, it took a breathtaking goal from the tournament’s top scorer Michael Ossa in the closing minutes to clinch victory for the host region.

The final was witnessed by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Honourable Nii Lante Vanderpuye, the Mayor of Accra ,Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, the Chairman of Laboma Beach resort Sam Okpoti. Hundreds of spectators witnessed the tournament which was played over two days. The Unity Cup final certainly lived up to its billing as the biggest game in the history of Beach Soccer in Ghana.

Popular actor John Dumelo who is the brand icon for the competition’s headline sponsor Style up gel, was on hand to motivate players and stir up the crowd.

The winners went home with a golden trophy donated by the Mayor of Accra, a cash prize of Ghs 2,500 and assorted items from the various sponsors. Team Volta received a silver cup ,cash prize of Ghs1,500 and items from the sponsors.

The impressive Central region placed third after a hard fought 4-3 triumph over the Western region.

Each teams received goodies presented by the sponsors led by

Ghandour cosmetics, producers of Style up gel, Cal Bank, Santa Cola official kit sponsors puma.

The next assignment for Ghana Beach Soccer is a two leg Afcon 2016 qualifier against rising beach soccer nation Kenya in August and a provisional squad of 15 players would be announced to camp by Friday.

Greater Accra Crowned Beach Soccer Unity Cup Champions

Beach Soccer President Supports Sports Minister

The President of Beach Soccer Ghana has come out strongly in support of Sports Minister, Hon. Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye.

Recent public utterances by the Youth and Sports Minister has attracted criticism from the football fraternity and sections of the sports media but according to Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the minister is only doing his job and looking out for the best interest of all sports in Ghana and not just football.

Ampofo Ankrah made the remarks when he was reacting to the draw for the first round qualifiers of the Beach Soccer Afcon.

Ghana’s Black Sharks will travel to Nairobi in August where they face a tricky encounter against the rising Harambee Sand Stars of Kenya.

“I expect the Minister to be good to his word and give beach soccer the respectful attention it requires”.

Ampofo Ankrah stepped into the bonus debate surrounding the Black Stars of Ghana by suggesting that if beach soccer had just 1% of the financial support of football, the Black Sharks would become African champions within two years.

“Yes I agree with the Minister totally when he proposes more financial aid for lesser supported sports. This would not harm football at all. It would rather push the GFA to be more robust in seeking alternative sponsorship for the Black Stars, other national teams and the domestic leagues”.

The Black Sharks are currently ranked 7th by CAF and 47th by FIFA following the creation of a national beach soccer team in 2013.

Beach Soccer President Supports Sports Minister

Afcon 2016 Beach Soccer: Ghana Black Sharks to face Kenya

The Black Sharks of Ghana have been handed another tricky duel in the qualifiers for the 2016 AFCON Beach Soccer tournament as they face off with Kenya in the first round.

The Sharks currently ranked 7th in Africa will play their Kenyan counterparts in Nairobi on the weekend of 26th to 28th of August with the return leg to be played at the Laboma Beach Soccer Arena on the weekend of the 16 to 18 of September, 2016.

The 2016 AFCON Beach Soccer Tournament will be held in Lagos, Nigeria.

Beach Soccer Ghana will release full details of the Black Sharks preparations in due course.

Afcon 2016 Beach Soccer: Ghana Black Sharks to face Kenya

TEN partners pledge to continue youth development in coastal communities using Beach Soccer

It was a massive record turn out at the newly constructed beach soccer arena. Locals were joined by travelling district supporters, officials of beach soccer and Youth Bridge Foundation (YBF).  Other officials hailed from the TEN partners, namely ; Tullow Oil, Anna Darko, Cosmos Energy, GNPC and Petro SA. The TEN partners stands for the FIVE companies drilling the three oil producing wells namely; Tweneboah Enyera and Ntomme ;(TEN)

Significantly, women and children have not been left out as Sanitation officers from Beach Soccer Ghana and Youth Bridge Foundation combined to organise sanitation awareness and action workshops in each of the beneficiary districts earmarked for development by the TEN partners.

It is worth noting that beach soccer is only one beneficiary out of several initiatives targeted at youth empowerment and communities engagement being sponsored by the TEN  partners. One of the reasons why the beach soccer angle is so outstanding is due to the potential youth employment through training and skills honing led by the Youth Bridge Foundation.

For example; in the construction of the arenas across the districts, only the local youth were trained and employed using 100% local materials

The initiative forms part of a wider vision to empower the youth of Ghana through the provision of amenities, access to education and general youth development strategies through the Youth Bridge Foundation (YBF) and the TEN development partners.

Beach Soccer Ghana is a major beneficiary in the partnership that is set to spread beach soccer to hidden coastal territories across Ghana

The Minister of Youth and Sports Hon Nii Lante Vanderpuye has stated emphatically that he will support and ensure that coastal communities get a fair share of attention when it comes to sports development.

The venue is the first “home made” beach soccer arena. The stands are built with a 100% local materials including bamboo, coconut stumps and local wood.

With some volunteers….the communal spirit there was incredible. Making do with bare and natural resources.

TEN partners pledge to continue youth development in coastal communities using Beach Soccer

Beach Soccer: Jomoro District Lifts Independence Cup In Western Region

Jomoro district stunned host city Elembele to lift the maiden edition of the Beach Soccer independence Cup held in the Western Region on Monday.

The six district tourney saw the host city Elembele succumbed to a 2-1 defeat in the final showdown to a doggy Jomoro district in the glaring eyes of the hugely patronized tournament.

The GBSA extended its horizon across the nation by organizing its first ever Beach soccer competition in the western region which was hugely patronized in the Elembele district.

Eventual winners, Jomoro were joined by Ahanta West, Shama, Nzema East and Sekondi Takoradi at Elembele to welcome the first ever beach soccer in the region as they prepare to have a league of their own.

The high tempo and passionate grand finale saw Jomoro took a commanding 2-0 lead before eventually lifting the independence day cup after late scare from the host city, Elembele.

President of the GBSA, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, commended the fans for their huge patronage and has promised to bring beach soccer closer to every coastal town across the nation.

“It was the biggest of crowd witnessed in a day of sheer soccer artistry in the town. It is matter of priorities, long term planning and not about money.

“We want to push beach soccer across all coastal communities in the country.” Ankrah told sports crusader.

The GBSA has been making inroads across the country in the last four years despite their meager budget and scanty resources.

Beach Soccer: Jomoro District Lifts Independence Cup In Western Region

Beach Soccer League (Week 17 Fixtures)

The CAL Bank beach soccer league will continue this weekend at the Labadi beach where various teams will be looking forward improve their respective position on the league log.

GHANA BEACH SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

WEEK 17 FIXTURES

1. Winneba Giants  Vs Teshie United

2. Layoca Bsc  Vs Nima Bsc

3. Tema United  Vs Wuo Gbee

4. Nungua Bsc  Vs Havedzi Bsc

5. Golden Eagles  Vs Sea Lions

6. Tegbi Youth Vs Ada Assurance

7. Gulf Powers  Vs Dansoman Bsc

8. African Angels Vs Sunset Sports

Beach Soccer League (Week 17 Fixtures)

Sunset Sports Continue Impressive Run In B.S

The second round of the 2015/2016 CAL Bank Beach Soccer League commenced this weekend at the Laboma Beach Soccer Arena in La, after almost seven weeks hiatus.

League leaders, Keta Sunset Sports, continued their impressive run in the league with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over 15th placed Winneba Giants.

Defending champions, Havedzi Mighty Warriors moved into second place to keep up with the pace with their rivals with an emphatic 7-0 win over Tema United.

Ashaiman based, Golden Eagles, shocked Ada Assurance with a 3-0 trouncing, to record their seventh win of the season.

The defeat saw Assurance not only lose grounds in the title chase but also drop to third, four points adrift leaders Sunset Sport on the league log.

Teshie United, fell 0-2 to Dansoman BSC whilst Gulf Powers shrug off a fight from Layoca BSC to win 3-2 in a pulsating encounter.

Sea lions BSC and Nungua Krowo BCS served fans a thrilling contest with a 3-3 draw whilst bottom side Nima BSC picked up their first point of the 16 week old campaign following their barren game with Tegbi Youth.

Wuo Gbee and African Angels were involved in the highest scoring game of week 16. Wuo Gbee won 5-3 in an eight goals thriller.

RESULTS AT GLANCE

Keta Sunset sports 3-0 Winneba giants

Golden eagles 3-0 Ada Assurance

Havedzi mighty warriors 7-0 Tema united

Dansoman BSC 2-0 Teshie united

Wuo gbee 5-3 African Angels

Gulf powers 3-2 Layoca

Tegbi youth 0-0 Nima BSC

Sea lions 3-3 Nungua Krowo

Sunset Sports Continue Impressive Run In B.S