Sports
Bastie itching for world title
Hard-hitting undefeated Ghanaian light heavyweight boxer, Bastie Samir, is famished for a world title, and believes the crown can land home in 2021.
Now 31, Bastie – popularly known as the ‘Beast’ says time is flying away so fast and cannot wait to accomplish his dream.
“Time is running out for me and I can’t wait any longer; Ghanaians too can’t continue to hang on,” he said.
The ruthless Beast began training individually this week ahead of a couple of engagements lined up before the end of the year.
Government on Sunday eased restrictions on individual and non-contact Olympic sporting activities, thus, lifting its ban with immediate effect. However, no team events are permitted.
“For now, team sports remain banned because of COVID-19. I’m hoping that by end of July next month, the pandemic would have subsided and the ban on team sports like boxing lifted.
“However, I think it’s important to be in good shape and keep the dream intact. That’s why I have began an intensive individual training – with the guidance of my trainer Ofori Asare – all in a bid to put myself in a ‘killer’ position,” Bastie, (18-0, 1, 16Kos), asserted.
The indomitable pugilist caused a hoo-hah in Ghana’s breathless boxing scene on October 21, 2017 when he brutally kayoed then undefeated Braimah Kamoko (Bukom Banku) in the seventh round of their non-title cruiserweight bout at the Bukom Boxing Arena, in Accra.
His next fight crawled in on February 24, 2019 at the same venue when he handed Lokossou Raoul of Benin, a crushing round-two knock-out in an international catchweight contest. Another round of ‘brutality’ was to be unleashed on Boxing Day December 26, same year, after callously battering Nigeria’s Sunday Ajuwa in the second round to clinch the PBC Intercontinental light heavyweight belt.
Bastie told the Times Sports yesterday that he would be engaging cruiserweight boxer Ayittey Powers and super middleweight Charles Adamu in some warm-up fights, “hopefully ahead of a World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Global title shot, by next year.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has really been a bother. It has destabilised most of my plans, but let me be quick to say God knows best.
“Importantly, I’m focused and have my eyes fixed on the ultimate prize,” he added.
BY JOHN VIGAH
Sports
Kurt E.S Okraku elected CAF Executive Committee member
The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has been successfully elected as a member of the Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The four-year term runs from 2025-2029.
The President, who was elected uncontested, joins the 24-member committee of the powerful body of the continent’s governing body.
Kurt Okraku’s election to the CAF Executive Committee comes as recognition of his remarkable leadership at the Football Association, where he has worked to rejuvenate Ghanaian football since taking office in 2019.
His efforts to enhance transparency, promote grassroots football, women’s football and focus on youth development have been well noted within the African football community.
With Ghana’s strong footballing tradition and legacy, the presence of the GFA boss on the CAF EXCO is seen as an opportunity to advance the interests of the country and help promote football development across Africa.
Mr. Okraku’s role will give Ghana a stronger voice in the decision-making processes that shape the future of football on the continent.
President Simeon-Okraku becomes the sixth Ghanaian to serve on the CAF Executive Committee in a list that includes Ohene Djan, Kobina Hagan, Nana Fredua Mensah, Samuel Okyere, and Kwesi Nyantakyi.
Sports
GFA concludes training of Club Safety and Security Officers and Regional Sports Security Officers
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has successfully concluded its training program for Club Safety and Security Officers (CSSOs) and Regional Sports Security Officers (RSSOs).
This comprehensive training, which took place from March 7 to March 10, 2025, aimed to throw more light on the enhance safety and security measures across Ghanaian football.
The training was conducted zonally, covering all 86 elite clubs and 16 regions. Participants were divided into three zones, with Zone 2 covering the Ashanti, Western, Western North, and Central Regions, and Zones 1 and 3 covering the remaining regions.
The training modules included:
Challenges of Safety and Security in Ghana: Identifying and addressing key safety and security concerns in Ghanaian football.
Roles of the Club Safety and Security Officer (CSSO) and collaboration with Regional Safety and Security Officers (RSSO): Defining the roles and responsibilities of CSSOs and RSSOs, and promoting effective collaboration between them.
Club Safety and Security Officer Checklist: Providing a comprehensive checklist for CSSOs to ensure that all safety and security protocols are in place.
Introduction to the Enhanced Safety and Security Protocols 2025: Introducing new safety and security protocols aimed at improving safety and security at match venues.
Practicum and scenario session: Providing hands-on training and scenario-based exercises to prepare participants for real-world safety and security challenges.
The training workshop was led by DCOP Lydia Donkor, Chairperson of the Security Committee. Others included Capt (Rtd) Nick Owusu, Vice Chairman of the Safety Committee, Julius Ben Emunah, Head of Competitions, John Ansah, Felix Bewu and Emmanuel Osei, members of the Safety and Security Committee.
This training is part of the GFA’s enhanced approach to ensuring improved safety and security at match venues across all competitions.
