Category: Sports

Algerian authorities have prohibited the entry into its territory of the delegation of the Moroccan Club Berkane Sports Renaissance.

Traveling to Algiers, to play the semi-final first leg of the African Football Confederation Cup (CAF) against the club of the Algiers Medina Sports Union (USMA), scheduled for Sunday April 21, the Renaissance sportive from Berkane was banned from entering Algerian territory.

The Algerian authorities must have had difficulty appreciating that the Moroccan players wore outfits bearing the map of the Kingdom, with its Sahara.

The players and the delegation accompanying them were therefore detained at Houari Boumédiène international airport in Algiers.

Algerian authorities blocked Berkane’s team at the airport for hours, even seizing their football equipment and uniforms.

The delegation had obtained authorization to travel to Algiers on a Spanish plane, thus circumventing the access restrictions imposed by Algeria on Moroccan flights.

Once again, this incident highlights Alge
ria’s persistent tensions towards Morocco, in particular Algeria’s ban on Moroccan flights since September 2021, which creates recurring problems during sporting events and other meetings between the two countries.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Nigerian youths gaming addiction, especially football betting, has become source of worrisome to many parents, community leaders and others charged with the responsibility of grooming the young people into adulthood.

Nowadays, young Nigerians, on a daily basis, are seen at betting centres placing all kinds of bet on various football matches, sports personalities and sporting activities.

While many do it as a form of fun, others see it as means of putting food on their table.

However, whatever is the reason behind it, many observers say youth addiction to betting should be a source of concern to the society. Among adults, the challenge is betting addiction.

Approximately 66 per cent of Nigerians, according to data, have placed bets on a sporting event at least once in their lives. Online gaming is extremely popular and expanding quickly”, says Betblog.

‘Revenue in (Nigeria’s) Online Sports Betting market is projected to reach US$294.20m in 2024. Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate of 6.45%,
resulting in a projected market volume of US$402.20m by 2029”, according to Statista

Mr Magnus Ekechukwu, Deputy Director Public Affairs National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) says the commission is against underage participation in any lottery gaming.

Ekechukwu explained that the commission’s rules and law only permits people from 18 years and above to indulge in gaming, adding that the commission is also frowned at gaming addiction among even adults.

‘Our law does not encourage underage game, gaming starts from age 18.

‘The national lottery Act frowns at underage gaming, it’s in our law and the regulations of 2017 as amended and it has always been part of the guidelines given to the operators’, he said.

He said the commission, as part of measures to discourage betting addition and juvenile betting periodically undertakes campaigns in the media to educate the public on betting rules and regulation.

‘The commission conducts checks on betting centres and, the guidelines the operators have directs
them to only attend to people who are 18 years and above in any form of lottery and gaming.

‘Also, the commission has been engaging in media campaigns through jingles against this underage gaming ‘, he said.

On addiction among adults, he said the commission had instructed the operators under what he called ‘Responsible Gaming’, to advise their clients or shut addicts out of their platforms.

‘Addiction comes under what we call ‘Responsible Gaming’, so what we try to do is to direct our operators to also advise their players.

‘If somebody is trying to put a certain amount and have the particular pattern of taking huge money into games very frequently, operators have the responsibility to probably shut the person off the platform.

‘It should also investigate why such people are trying to spend so much on gaming or lottery or betting.

‘So that way, they help to check people who are excessively indulging in betting, so that’s one of the ways to check responsible gaming,’ Ekechukwu said.

According to him, th
ere are sanctions by the commission on violators of rules among lottery operators.

‘There are sanctions from the commission against the operators who violate the rules on underage gaming; it is something that the commission takes very seriously.’

Mr Layi Onafowokan, Managing Director, National Lottery Nigeria, said several factors such as economic hardship, unemployment, social pressures and peer influence, emotional escapism, and lack of awareness could push Nigerians to the act.

On measures to curtail this, Onafowokan said, was dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders, media, regulators, and the public could create a safer and more responsible gaming environment for everyone,

‘It is important to acknowledge that while some Nigerian youths are drawn to betting, not all are addicted to it.

‘As Managing Director of National Lottery Nigeria, I understand the concerns surrounding betting addiction and its potential effects on our younger generation.

‘While National Lottery Nigeria operates ethically an
d responsibly within the legal framework, I believe tackling this challenge requires a collective effort’, he said.

Similarly, Mr Kenneth Pius, Manager BET9ja, said his betting firm was very strict in its operations as it would not in any way, allow persons less than 18 years into the betting premises.

Pius said that allowing young people below 18 years to participate in gaming is against the NLRC’s guiding rules.

‘Based on the order from lottery commission, we don’t allow any child who is not up to 18 into this premises, let alone participating in betting games.’

According to him, the commission officials and even policemen visit their centres periodically to check their activities and ensure compliance to the laws guiding the gaming sector.

On addiction by adults, Kenneth said betting is a choice, adding that it was gamers, adults in particular, should control their appetite towards it.

Mrs Comfort Amah, a parent, explained that it was lack of jobs that pushed most Nigerians into gambling with the hop
e of making quick money.

Amah, nevertheless, advised youths to focus on their education, adding that they have more chances to make money in future after their education.

‘It is a painful thing to me whenever I see these little ones who are supposed to be in school to study and even those who claim they are students hanging around betting premises.

‘They are too young to be desperate for quick money”, she said.

Mr Samuel Ndubisi, another parent, said Nigerians take to gambling due to lack of reasonable things to do or to invest to make money for a living.

‘The main reason is because there’s no job in Nigeria. When there’s no job obviously youths will go into betting because it is like a game where they hope to get money from there.

‘It is a way of living for many youths. When you invest small money like N50 for example and win up to N20, 000, you will be motivated to invest more in it.

‘That`s one of the major reasons they are addicted to it, ‘ she said.

Ndubisi urged the government to intervene by p
roviding better job opportunities and more skills acquisition centres for youths, adding that strict regulation of the industry would minimise addiction among adults.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Ghana’s hopes of advancing to the next round of the 2024 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been shattered following their 11-3 loss to Angola in the last group match.

Ghana has suffered some devastating losses at the ongoing tournament as they were pummeled by hosts Morocco and Zambia in their opening two matches.

Ghana’s national futsal team, heading into their last match against the Sable Antelopes of Angola, were confident of a big scalp that could propel them to the knockout stages.

But Coach Philip Boakye and his lads fell short of upsetting the odds despite a good display of futsal skills in a pulsating encounter against the Angolans.

Ghana thus exits the tournament with no points, while Angola and Morocco progress from Group A to the next round.

This was Ghana’s second appearance at the Futsal AFCON, with their debut in 1996 having made an impressive run to the finals, where they lost to Egypt.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Prosper Nartey Ogum Head Coach of Asante Kotoko and his entire technical team did not show up the club’s training ground on Tuesday.

Irate fans stormed the place to register their displeasure over the poor performance of the team in the Ghana Premier League.

The fans numbering about 15 arrived at the Adako JachieTraining Complex in a mini van ahead of the team bus at about 1440 hours, a source told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Sports in Kumasi.

About 20 minutes later, the team bus arrived and for more 10 minutes, the players were seated in the bus, fuelling a tensed atmosphere as the fans patiently waited for them to get out of the bus.

When they finally came down, they were verbally abused by the fans but none of them was attacked as they walked onto the pitch without the technical team.

Some of the aggrieved fans, according to the source, were heard asking the whereabouts of the coach on top of their voices, apparently to confront him on the lack of results in the ongoing premier league.

Despite the ch
aos and confusion outside the pitch, the players were seen warming up ahead of their training programme of the day but had to stop at some point when it became clear the technical team was not coming.

After losing to Dreams FC at Dawu on Sunday, supporters of Asante Kotoko have been calling for the resignation of Coach Ogum and his technical team to save the club from further sinking on the league table.

There have also been rumours of a possible invasion of the training ground by supporting to block the embattled coach from performing his duties in the local media since Monday.

It is believed that the coach and his backroom staff might have picked information about the intended disruption of their work hence their decision not to show up at training today.

As to whether they would be allowed to prepare the team for their next game against Samartex remains uncertain.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium at Tamale will host the first event of the 11th edition of the GNPC Ghana Fastest Human on May 11, 2024.

The 100 meters dash clash is for boys and girls, under 15, under 18 and adults over 18 years.

The competition moves to Cape Coast Stadium on May 25, then Kumasi Baba Yara Stadium on June 15 and climax at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra on June 29.

Three icons in sprints, Ohene Karikari, Oko Addy and Mike Ahey are the living inspiration to young athletes.

They were recognized at the lunch of the 2024 edition of the GNPC Ghana Fastest Human last Monday.

Mr. Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth and Sports who launched the Olympic year edition prayed that more athletes would qualify for the Olympic Games.

He acknowledged the contribution of the GNPC Ghana Fastest Human in developing athletes as some took part in the last African Games.

Dr. Kwame Baah Nuakoh, GM Strategy and Investments of GNPC said track and field was the passion of many Ghanaians and that justifie
s the company’s support in discovering and nurturing talents, most of whom become international stars.

He suggested the promotion of sports at the tertiary level.

Nana Asante Bediatuo, Secretary to the President of Ghana also appreciated the involvement of the private sector in sports talent discovery and harnessing.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Organisers of the Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon has opened registration for the 2024 edition of the race fixed for Saturday, August 3.

A statement from the organisers said, participants can register by dialling *380*21# or visit www.accraintercitymarathon.com to register for the race.

It stated that, participants would have the chance to compete in three categories, 21, 10, and 5-kiometrs, adding that there would be attractive prizes and medals at stake for outstanding participants.

The race, which is part of activities earmarked for the celebration of the annual Homowo Festival by the Gas would commence at the Accra Sports Stadium and end at the Bukom Boxing Arena

It added that, the race which is one of the biggest in the country would also be preceded by a two-day Sports Fair, where there would be a platform for sports businesses to network, share ideas and also exhibit their products and services.

It noted that, the organisers would also announce dates for the launch of the race and sponsors.

The
2023 Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon was won by Kooga Atia and Juliana Zakat.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Danny List Foundation on Sunday, held a Junior Golf Clinic for young golfers in Accra.

Danny List, who is a professional golf player in the United States is keen on unearthing talents through its golf academy project.

Over 60 young golfers were taken through the basics of golf at the Achimota Golf Driving Range.

The golfer speaking in an interview with the GNA Sports said the clinic was part of the activities laid down to provide opportunities for the kids.

‘Ghana golf has all the talents in the world, all it lacks is opportunity. The total aim of this foundation is to give everyone here in Ghana equal opportunity to their counterparts in the states,’ he said.

He said the foundation had secured land for a state of the art golf academy, the first of its kind in West Africa.

‘This would be a place kids will play for free, they would get the training they need, there will be a gym, there will be everything possible to be successful in golf,’ he added.

According to him, work would soon begin work to get th
e academy ready in the coming months.

Madam Angela List, co-founder of the foundation also noted expressed excitement having seen kids excited to learn the sport.

She said the academy would help give young golfers the opportunity to showcase their talents to the rest of the world.

The Danny List Foundation was launched last year.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr. Dodzie Numekevor, the Director General (D-G) of the National Sports Authority (NSA) has endorsed ‘Show Case’ of Africa nations tournament scheduled to take place at the Madina astro turf on Saturday, 20th April 2024.

The event under the auspices of the S-Inkoom Football Management Agency, owned by the former Black Stars player, Samuel Inkoom.

Mr. Inkoom announced this when he paid a working visit to the D-G to officially invite him as a Special Guest for the tournament.

The D-G assured Mr. Inkoom that his team would support the initiative, adding that, he would be present with his management members to grace the tournament.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Inkoom explained that the aim of the competition was to offer opportunities to talented players between the ages of 17 and 21 to exhibit their God given talents.

He said on that the day of the competition, there would scouts from foreign clubs to observe it.

The event was recently launched in Accra, at a very colourful ceremony.

Source: Ghana News Age
ncy

Joseph ‘JoJo’ Awinongya Jr. etched his name in boxing history last Saturday, when he won a title in the 165ilbs category at the 2024 Chicago Golden Gloves 2024 tournament.

Competing in the 165 lb, Junior Open division, JoJo delivered a masterful performance, earning a unanimous decision over his formidable adversary, Yandel ‘YANDEL’ Hernandez from Knuckleheads Boxing Gym.

The electrifying showdown unfolded at Cicero Stadium, where JoJo’s unwavering resolve and technical finesse captivated the audience.

Among those who came to witness and support JoJo were Father Michael Pfleger, former Secretary of State Jesse White, Wasfi Tolaymat, Michael Mikuska, Tyrone Muhammad with ECCSC, and Dr. Cornel Darden Jr.

Their presence added an extra layer of motivation and camaraderie to JoJo’s journey to victory.

Hailing from the esteemed Sam Colonna Boxing Gym, Joseph Awinongya Jr. has dedicated countless hours to honing his craft under the guidance of seasoned trainers.

His relentless pursuit of excellence culminated
in this remarkable achievement.

‘Joseph’s dedication and heart have been evident throughout his journey.

‘His unwavering commitment to the sport has paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder,’ remarked Coach Sam Colonna.

The Chicago Golden Gloves has a storied legacy, and JoJo’s name now graces the annals alongside other legendary champions.

His victory serves as an inspiration to aspiring boxers, emphasizing the importance of hard work and perseverance.

Founded in 1923, the Chicago Golden Gloves remains one of the most prestigious amateur boxing tournaments in the United States. It has launched the careers of numerous professional boxers and continues to thrive.

Source: Ghana News Agency