GAA Announces Athletes" Departure On Scholarship Programmes

The Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) has announced that three of its athletes have taken up college scholarships in the USA as of the first semester of the 2016/17 academic year.

The athletes, Martin Owusu-Antwi, Safia Bright and Agnes Abrokwah have already left Ghana for their new schools and will be seeking to further their education and career development, while also developing their athletic talent.

Martin Owusu-Antwi, who enjoyed a breakthrough season, winning gold in the men’s 200m final and 4x100m final at the 8th Africa Universities Games in Johannesburg, South Africa, has joined Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Owusu-Antwi will be hoping to improve on his personal best of 20.73(PB) which he achieved in the men’s 200m final at the Soga-Nana Memorial on 8th July, 2016 at his new base.

Likewise, Agnes Abrokwah, after recording the fastest time by a Ghana-based athlete in the women’s 400m in 2016 when she stopped the clock at 53.06s, joins South Plains College, a public institution located in Levelland, Texas.

Abrokwah, one of the standout performers in the just-ended season, made her international debut at the CAA Championships in Durban, South Africa in July.

The three athletes are the latest to join the long list of athletes who are in the USA on similar student-athlete scholarships.

Meanwhile, 800 meters Youth Olympic Gold medallist, Martha Bissah, has gained a personal full scholarship worth $32,000 to study at the Norfolk University in Virginia USA earlier this month.

GAA Announces Athletes" Departure On Scholarship Programmes

Former GAA Boss Laments Incumbent"s Lack Of Focus

Former chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), George Lutterodt, has decried the ‘purposelessness and directionless’ of the current leadership of the GAA, with regards to various issues confronting the association.

GAA- President-Prof.Francis Dodoo

A case in reference is the indefinite suspension of Olympic Gold medalist, Martha Bissah, which to him, remains unclear and could go a long way to negate the image of the association

He said; “When I was elected the chairman of the association, I called on past chairmen to discuss and devise measures on how to improve the discipline for continuity but the current leadership has failed to do likewise.

“I just don’t do things my way. I have to take advice. Then when I left and Sandy Osei Agyemang came, the first thing he did was to call and discuss issues concerning the discipline with me.

“This is how it should be but since the Prof. Francis Dodoo administration assumed office, they have never done that and this has culminated in the disastrous results we are facing right now.”

Mr. Lutterodt reiterated his point on how the current leadership ought to share ideas on moving the association forward, ahead of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Former GAA Boss Laments Incumbent"s Lack Of Focus

Ghana"s Contingent For the Rio Olympics Finally Depart

Ghana’s contingent for the Rio 2016 Olympics on Sunday,30 July 2016,departed to games after being in limbo over trip sponsorship for the games which kicks starts on Friday, 5, August 2016.

 

The mega sporting event will see numerous countries participating in the games and Ghana who have 16 of its athletes qualifying for the games have departed accompanied with officials of the Ghana Olympic Committee(GOC).

 

The trip is under the sponsorship of the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC).

 

Before their departure,the President of GOC,Prof. Dodoo said that “The current Ghana Olympics squad, comprised young athletes, with an average age of 22 years.  We believe exposure at the Rio Olympics will develop them further to make a bigger impact in 2020.

 

“We also have the fastest female 100m quartet in Africa, who have recorded the fastest time ever.  All of these means that we have a great future ahead.”

 

Nii Lante Vanderpuye, the Minister for Youth and Sports expressed gratitude to GNPC for the support and believes that other corporate entities will emulate the gesture.

 

Ghana"s Contingent For the Rio Olympics Finally Depart

Baba Rahman Bids Ghana"s Rio Olympic Team Farewell

Ghanaian Defender Baba Rahman has expressed his best of wishes and support for Ghana’s contingent for the upcoming Olympics in Rio which kick starts on the 5th of August 2016.

 

The 22 year-old claims that he has been a fan of athletics especially in the long distances  category and he hopes Ghana will be able to win its first medal in the Track and Field event as well other sporting disciplines.

 

In a Question and Answer session with Chelsea FC official website, Baba was asked: Who will do well from your part of the world?

 

Baba said: “Ghana have a few athletes who have qualified, I think about 16, and I hope they do well. We didn’t qualify for the football unfortunately, the last medal Ghana got was in the football in 1992 when we came third”.

 

Ghana’s Rio Olympic contingent are expected to depart from Ghana on Monday, 1, August 2016, despite the difficulty in raising funds for a smooth participation in the mega sporting event in Rio.

Baba Rahman Bids Ghana"s Rio Olympic Team Farewell

Confirmed List of Ghanaian Athletes Going to the Rio Olympics

The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has announced  Ghana’s team for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games that is less than a month away.

 

The team comprises of 16 athletes which is an improvement of the nine athletes that went for the London Olympics back in 2012.

Below is the full list:

Swimming

Kaya Forson

Abeiku Jackson

Weightlifting

Christian Amoah

Judo

Szandra Szogedi

Boxing

Abdul Wahid Omar

Athletics

Flings Owusu-Agyapong (100m)

Janet Amponsah (200m)

John Ampomah (Javelin)

Emmanuel Dasor (200m)

Alex Amankwah (800m)

Sean Safo-Antwi (100m)

 4x100m relay: Gemma Acheampong, Beatrice Gyaman, Dorcas Gyimah, Persis William-Mensah, and Akua Obeng-Akrofi.

 

Confirmed List of Ghanaian Athletes Going to the Rio Olympics

CAA Championship : Ghana"s 4 x 100 Women"s Team Wins Silver Medal

The Ghana  National Women’s 4 x 100m relay team have won the silver medal with a time of 44.05secs at the 20th Senior African Championships in Durban, South Africa.

 

The relay team which includes Flings Flings Joyner Owusu-Agyapong, Gemma Acheampong, Beatrice Gyaman, Janet Amponsah should have clinch the first spot if not for a ‘delayed’ change of baton that occurred.

 

Below is the list of team performances in the final

Place Performance Athlete Team

1 0:43.66 RELAY TEAM – SOUTH AFRICA

2 0:44.05 RELAY TEAM – GHANA GHANA

3 0:44.29 RELAY TEAM – COTE D’VOIRE

4 0:46.00 RELAY TEAM – KENYA KENYA

5 0:46.10 RELAY TEAM – BOTSWANA

6 0:46.23 RELAY TEAM – CAMEROON

7 0:48.94 RELAY TEAM – ZIMBABWE

The Men’s 4 X 100m team which includes Stephen Opoku, Desmond Aryee, Martin Owusu-Antwi, Shadrack Opoku Agyemang,clocked 40.21 secs for 6th place in final

Below is the list of team performances in the final

Place Performance Athlete Team

1 0:38.84 RELAY TEAM – SOUTH AFRICA

2 0:38.98 RELAY TEAM – COTE D’VOIRE

3 0:39.77 RELAY TEAM – ZAMBIA

4 0:39.86 RELAY TEAM – SENEGAL

5 0:39.97 RELAY TEAM – KENYA

6 0:40.21 RELAY TEAM – GHANA

7 0:40.40 RELAY TEAM – BOTSWANA

8 0:41.02 RELAY TEAM – ZIMBABWE

CAA Championship : Ghana"s 4 x 100 Women"s Team Wins Silver Medal

Audio : Former GAA Boss Slams Current Administration Over Bisa"s Suspension

Former chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) Dr George Luttlord has condemned the current administration of the GAA over their decision to suspend Martha Bissah,whom they claimed made false allegations against the Association.

 

The only Youth Olympic Gold Medalist Ghana has ever produced is alleged to have consistently accused the GAA in the media of the demanding GHC 7,000 from her to be offered the scholarship which she gained after winning the country’s first ever Olympic  Gold medal at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

Below is an audio of what he said

 

Audio : Former GAA Boss Slams Current Administration Over Bisa"s Suspension

Negotiations Over Setting Up A National Anti - Doping Agency Resumes

The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) is scheduled to meet with the Minister of Youth ans Sports Hon.Nii Lante Vanderpuye over the establishment of a National Anti- Doping agency (NADO).

 

NADO’s are responsible for testing national athletes during off and on seasons, as well as athletes from other countries competing within that nation’s borders, in order to meet the international standards of competing in various sporting events.

 

GOC have had preliminary discussions with previous sports ministers over the establishment of a NADO but the frequent change of sports ministers has drag the process.

 

The President of the GOC, Professor Francis Dodoo is expected to lead a delegation to the sports minister over the establishment of a NADO.

 

In an interview with Empire Fm, The President of GOC said “Dr. Deborah Cubagee, who is the 1st vice president of the Ghana Olympic committee, has been leading the charge on starting what is called NADO. ”

“Again we have a new sports minister now so I think those conversations will hopefully advance. Over the last three or four years, she’s been ready.

“She has had a doping system in place and tested some of the athletes but when we do have a NADO situated [in Ghana], we will have better support “.

Negotiations Over Setting Up A National Anti - Doping Agency Resumes

Scrap Black Stars Appearance Fee - Professor Dodoo

The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Professor Francis Doodo, has called on the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS), to scrap appearance fee for players of the Black Stars during competitions.

MOYS have had to pay huge amounts of money to players of the Black Stars, for appearing at major tournaments like the Federation International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup and the African Cup of Nations.

The former Ghana triple jumper wants the sport minister to cancel the payment of appearance fee with immediate effect.

“I really don’t think we should pay anybody appearance fee to compete for Ghana. I don’t think its right. We have always talked about national pride, so if people are coming to compete for their country, I think they should come to compete for the right reason which is national pride.

‘You don’t pay people just to come and wear the national colors, come on! If I had the power, I would not be afraid to scrap it,” he told Empire FM.

The chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) further went to advocate for bonus structure that will determine how players are rewarded.

Scrap Black Stars Appearance Fee - Professor Dodoo

Ghanaian Athlete Smashes 42 Year-Old National Record

The 42 year-old national 5000m record was on Saturday smashed by Sampson Laari with a time of 14:02.22 at the National Athletics Circuit in Takoradi, Western Region.

The previous record was held by  Robert Hackman with a time of 14.09.0 minutes in the 1974 National Athletics Open.

But Laari has to work had if he wants to break the African record which is held by Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia with a time of 12:37.35.

Series of national circuit is expected to follow all around the country as various athlete are preparing for second national athletics open later.

Ghanaian Athlete Smashes 42 Year-Old National Record

Ghana Beach Volley Team Leave For Olympic Qualification

The national beach volleyball female team left Accra for Abuja, Nigeria to take part in an African Continental Olympic qualifier.

The delegation that left Accra for Nigeria’s capital Lagos was made up of four players and four officials under the sponsorship of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).

The Players: Martha Korkoe Bavon, Gloria Addai, Gifty Adedze and Patricia Habada and the team Officials are, Paul Atchoe- President, Christiana Ashley, Moro Mumuni and Bright Abletor.

They will be seeking to book a ticket to Rio 2016 later in the year.

Ghana has been struggling to increase her slots at the multiple sport event but without success.

Ghana Beach Volley Team Leave For Olympic Qualification

Ghanaian Duo Qualify For African Senior Athletics Championship

Ghanaian High Jump duo Regina Yeboah and Nana Yaa Abigail Kwarteng have secured their ticket to participate in the 2016 20th African Senior Athletics Championships slated from 22 to 26 June 2016 in Durban, South Africa.

 

Yeboah especially put up a very impressive showing last Saturday at the third edition of the Ghana Athletics Association Championship held at the El-Wak Stadium after becoming the second locally-based athlete to qualify for the Athletics Championships after clearing a height of 1.76 metres.

 

All other participants in the second National Ranking Championship left the El Wak stadium in disappointment mood t as they failed to meet the qualifying standards for the 2016 Olympic Games  and  the African  Athletics Championships.

 

More championships are expected to take place from now until the Rio Olympics kicks start in August and so far only two Ghanaian have already qualified for the mega sporting event with qualification still ongoing across the various disciplines.

 

Ghanaian Duo Qualify For African Senior Athletics Championship

GOC Hold Confab On Rio Olympics Preparations

The Ghana Olympic Committee held its first Executive Board Meeting of the year to discuss Ghana’s preparations for Rio 2016 on Thursday, 7th April, 2016 at the GOC Conference Room.

The nation is struggling to make the numbers for athletes to qualify as recently the national boxing team, the Black Bombers failed to win at least a slot in qualifying competition in Cameroon.

GOC Conference on Ghana’s preparation to Rio 2016

GOC Conference on Ghana’s preparation to Rio 2016

GOC President, Professor Francis Dodoo chaired the conference on Ghana’s preparation to Rio 2016

GOC Conference on Ghana’s preparation to Rio 2016

Ghana has just two athletes qualified for the track and field events and the GOC will hope the bombers take full advantage, prepare well and qualify with their second and only remaining chance of qualifying to Rio 2016 in Azerbaijan.

Among other things, the meeting discussed the qualification of athletes, accreditation and the appointment of an Authorised Ticket Reseller for the Games.

GOC Hold Confab On Rio Olympics Preparations

Ghana National Ranking Athletics Open Slated This Weekend

The Second National Ranking Athletics Open is slated for Saturday, 9 April, at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra.

The competition, which will see all athletes across the country, compete for honors in both track and field events, as a platform for preparing for future Olympics qualifiers in the upcoming month.

In an interview with sportscrusader.com, the Secretary General of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), Phillipina Frimpong said “all is set for the event to take place and we expect massive participation across all the ten regions of Ghana and also seek to unearth talent who could help claim honors for the country in future events”.

We invite the general public to the event as it promises some promising talents on display in both track and field events.

 

Ghana National Ranking Athletics Open Slated This Weekend

GOCs Role Is Misconstrued By Some Journalists - Rev. Quarcoo

The Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana Olympics Committee (GOC), Rev. Richardmond Quarcoo  has admitted his institution is very worried about the attitude and negative reportage by some sports journalists in the country.

Rev. Quarcoo sounded worried about the duties of the Ministry of Youth and Sports being ‘assigned’ to the GOC by sports journalists, who should know better and report on who is responsible, when a challenge pops up but rather ‘pollute’ the mind of the public.

Speaking to sportscrusader.com on how some sports journalists have acted unprofessionally, he said,”First of all people don’t understand the role of the GOC, they think that when the name GOC is mentioned we are supposed to pay athletes.

“In fact there was an instance when an athlete travelled and his per diem wasn’t paid and people started criticising the GOC but that is not our job as some media people spread falsehood about our duties and responsibilities. ”

Ghana Olympics Committee president, Rev. Quarcoo

“Some sports journalist whether print or electronic deliberately misinform the public knowing very well the GOC does not handle allowances and ticket issues. These false news only increases and contributes to the ignorance among some individuals and organisations out there that the GOC is neglecting her duties.” He added.

The GOC is currently preparing towards Rio 2016 as the various disciplines participate in qualifying competitions.

GOCs Role Is Misconstrued By Some Journalists - Rev. Quarcoo