Michael Phelps To Retire After Olympics

American swimming legend Michael Phelps says he does not intend to compete in another Olympics once Rio 2016 is over.

The 31-year-old, who has won 22 Olympic gold medals, quit after London 2012 only to reverse that decision in 2014.

“I’m not going four more years and I’m standing by that,” he insisted after finishing in a three-way tie for silver in the 100m butterfly final.

“I’ve been able to do everything I’ve ever put my mind to in the sport. I’m happy with how things finished.”

He added: “No more. This is it. I said it a bunch before. But I’m not doing it.

“I swore in London I wasn’t coming back and this is final. Were the papers here, I’d sign them tomorrow.”

However, team-mate Ryan Lochte thinks Phelps will be in Tokyo in 2020.

“I guarantee he will be there,” Lochte told NBC. “I think so. I really think so. So Michael, I’ll see you in Tokyo.”

Phelps can add to his Olympic tally in the 4x100m medley relay at 03:04 BST on Sunday.

“I’m happy,” added Phelps, who said he wanted to spend more time with newborn son Boomer and fiancee Nicole.

Phelps made his Olympic bow in 2000, winning his first gold in Athens in 2004. He has 27 Olympic medals in total, nine more than his closest rival.

BBC

Michael Phelps To Retire After Olympics

MTN FA Cup Semi-Final Double-Header In Kumasi On Sunday

The Ghana Premier League (GPL) takes a break this weekend to make way for the MTN FA Cup semi-final duels which comes off in Kumasi on Sunday.

Both games will be played at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi and will see two Premier League clubs taking on opponents from the second tier competition.

It will be the first ever double-header semi-final games in the history of the competition to be played at the same venue and will see GPL outfit Bechem United facing Wa Rockets of the GN Bank Division One League (DOL) in the first semi-final match which will kick off at 3:00pm.

Bechem United kicked out Asante Kotoko on penalties in the quarter-finals stage and will be the odds on favourites to advance to the final of the competition.

Wa Rockets advanced to this stage after beating Wa All Stars 1-0 in a fierce Upper West regional derby played at the Wa Park.

The second game of the day will kick off at 6:00pm and will see the 1986 winners Okwahu United of the DOL taking on Premiership side, Liberty Professionals at the same venue.

Okwahu United beat Premiership outfit, WAFA 1-0 at the quarter-final stage of the competition with Liberty accounting for another DOL side, Elmina Sharks 3-0.

The FA Cup Committee has announced ticket prices for this weekend’s games as:

Popular Stand – GH¢ 3.00 (MTN Credit included)

VIP – GH¢ 10.00 (MTN Credit included)

 

MTN FA Cup Semi-Final Double-Header In Kumasi On Sunday

GPL Matchday 15 Preview: Aduana Stars To Shoot Down Hunters In Dormaa

Aduana Stars will be heavy favourites to collect all three points when they host Bechem United at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park, Dormaa on Sunday afternoon.

This Brong Ahafo regional derby will mark the end of the first round of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) competition for this season, with the second round set to start on 26 June.

Prior to their defeat at Cape Coast to Dwarfs in midweek, Aduana Stars had gone six games without defeat, and, will be eager to return to winning ways as they mount a challenge for the title.

And they will be massive favourites to collect all three points on home soil as Bechem United has proven to be very poor travelers since they joined the Ghanaian top-flight.

Aduana Stars are third on the table with 23 points, and, could go top at the half way point if they win and other results go their way.

Bechem United has lost all their away games, and, it remains to be seen where they will draw courage from as they visit one of the most difficult venues in the Ghanaian game.

They are 13^th on the GPL ladder with 15 points, and, in trying to save their season, their away form will count a lot, but, their performance on the road has been poor this season.

They couldn’t finish off poor away performers Sekondi Hasaacas at home in their last game, and this could affect them as the season wore on.

Head to Head

Total matches played = 6

Aduana Stars wins = 2

Drawn matches = 2

Bechem United wins = 2

GPL Matchday 15 Preview: Aduana Stars To Shoot Down Hunters In Dormaa