Sports
Black Bombers on rescue mission
The Black Bombers team on arrival in Bankok
In a little over two months, the biggest global sports fiesta, the Olympic Games will kick-off in France.
Christened the 2024 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad and commonly known as Paris 2024, the upcoming international multi-sport event is scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11 with the motto: Ouvrons grand les Jeux.
That translated to English means‘Games wide open’.
It will indeed be widely open as approximately 10, 500 athletes converge on the city of Paris to compete in 329 events in 32 sports disciplines.
That number of contingents would definitely include that of Ghana which is expected to be comprised of athletes, boxers, cyclists, badminton, table tennis, hockey, volleyball players and many others from the over 50 sports disciplines in the country.
However, the nature of qualification to the Games has more or less become a hindrance for athletes of these disciplines.
For some of them, it has become an activity similar to qualification to the quadrennial FIFA World Cup.
Currently, the only team or group of athletes that have qualified to represent Ghana at the global sports extravaganza is the 4x100m Relay Team that secured qualification from the recently held athletics championships in the Bahamas.
Apart from the relay team, Ghana’s participation in the championship hang in the balance as athletes struggle to record qualification marks and times in their respective trials.
Hence, the national boxing team, Black Bombers’ participationin the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifiers in Bankok, Thailand from today offers a glimmer of hope.
As the most successful Ghanaian team in the history of the Olympics, it is not out of place to trust in their ability to add to Ghana’s numbers in the Games to improve the country’s standing on the all-time medal table of the Games.
Out of Ghana’s 16 appearances, she could only boast of five medals – four bronze and a silver, with four coming from the Black Bombers and one bronze from the Black Meteors team of the 1992 edition held in Barcelona.
That impressive record as Ghana’s best Olympics team is what must spur on flyweight Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey, featherweightMohammed Amadu, light welterweight Joseph Commey, light middleweight Henry Malm, light heavyweight Jonathan Tetteh, British-based super heavyweightMark Kodjovi Ahondjo and United States-based female middleweight Ornella Sathoud to snatch some of the 51 places allotted from the trials.
The situation again raises eyebrows over the state of Ghana sports and it free fall with very little or no effort to rescue it.
Like it’s always said, the time for officialdom to act to save Ghana sports is now. If Ghana is not able to qualify in football which is her biggest sports pride, struggling to qualify athletes and boxers, then it meant the door would be completely shut on those with smaller budgets.
While we wait to see attempts to improve Ghana’s 125th ranking on the Olympics medal table, we wish the Black Bombers well in this endeavour to restore the nation’s sporting pride.
By Andrew Nortey
Sports
Ampem Darkoa, Sung Shinning seek crucial wins in Northern Zone of Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League
Ampem Darkoa Ladies return home after shocking exit from the Women’s FA Cup at the hands of Division One side Rootz Sistaz.
Despite this setback, the former champions remain unbeaten in the Women’s Premier League, following a draw with Northern Ladies in their last fixture.
Meanwhile, bottom-placed Sung Shining Ladies, based in Wa, will host Northern Ladies, aiming to secure maximum points and escape the relegation zone.
Here is what to expect in the Northern Zone:
Sung Shining Ladies FC vs. Northern Ladies FC
Sung Shining Ladies FC will host Northern Ladies FC, seeking to bounce back from their FA Cup quarterfinal disappointment. The home side has struggled to maintain leads in recent matches. Northern Ladies FC will look to continue their momentum and move up the table.
Ampem Darkoa Ladies vs. Kumasi Sports Academy
Ampem Darkoa Ladies will shift their focus to the premier league after a shocking FA Cup exit. They remain unbeaten in the league and will look to maintain their run against Kumasi Sports Academy, who are struggling in 8th position.
Tamale Super Ladies vs. Fosu Royal Ladies
Tamale Super Ladies will seek a second consecutive win when they host Fosu Royal Ladies. The Super Ladies are fifth in the table, while Fosu Royal Ladies are fourth. A win could push Tamale Super Ladies into the top four.
Dreamz Ladies vs. Prison Ladies
Dreamz Ladies will take on Prison Ladies in an electrifying encounter. Both teams have shown impressive form, and this clash promises to be a thrilling display of determination.
Supreme Ladies vs. Savannah Ladies
Supreme Ladies will clash with Savannah Ladies at the Bantama Astro Turf. Both teams are seeking to improve their standing in the league table. Supreme Ladies are bottom of the table and will look to pick maximum points at home.
Sports
Hasaacas Ladies face off against Police Ladies in Southern Zone as Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League returns
The Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League resumes this weekend with Match Day 12, featuring highly anticipated clashes. In the Southern Zone, leaders Hasaacas Ladies face off against second-placed Police Ladies in a thrilling encounter that promises to be a highlight of the weekend.
Two points separate the two teams as Police Ladies trail record holders Hasaacas Ladies in the title race. Meanwhile, Halifax Ladies will host struggling Berry Ladies, with the home team seeking maximum points to improve their league standing.
Here is what to expect in the Southern Zone:
Epiphany Warriors vs. LadyStrikers
Epiphany Warriors, currently 4th with 21 points, face LadyStrikers, who sit 6th in the table with 13 points. Despite their standings, LadyStrikers have shown they can compete against tougher opponents following an impressive showing against the top three teams.
Epiphany Warriors are poised to start as favorites, but they must remain cautious of LadyStrikers’ formidable quality.
Soccer Intellectuals vs. Jonina Ladies
Soccer Intellectuals, struggling with 2 wins and 2 draws from 10 games, host Jonina Ladies, who recently booked an FA Cup semi-final berth.
Soccer Intellectuals vs. Jonina Ladies
Soccer Intellectuals, struggling with 2 wins and 2 draws from 10 games, host Jonina Ladies, who recently booked an FA Cup semi-final berth with a 5-1 win.
Police Ladies vs. Hasaacas Ladies
League leaders Hasaacas Ladies face Police Ladies, who aim to reclaim the top spot on home turf. Hasaacas Ladies are favorites following their Women’s FA Cup quarter-final heroics. They lead the table with 24 points – two points ahead of their host going into this epic clash.
Halifax Ladies vs. Berry Ladies
New entrants Halifax Ladies, seeking consistency, face strugglers Berry Ladies, who are deeply, rooted at the bottom of the Southern Zone standings.
Faith Ladies vs. Army Ladies
Faith Ladies, with 8 points, host Army Ladies, who are enjoying a strong campaign in fifth place with 20 points. Army Ladies will aim to extend their unbeaten run.
