Sports
Dakpemah Ladies crowned maiden Northern RFA Girls U-15 League Champions
After an impressive 14 Weeks of football action, Dakpemah Ladies SC, on September 7, 2024 were crowned champions of the Northern Region Girls Under 15 League Competition.
This Competition is the first of its kind introduced under the Kurt E. Simeon-Okraku administration in its efforts to bridge the gaps in Women football under the Women Football strategy.
This maiden edition saw 8 Under-15 girls clubs compete for honours in a thrilling competition.
Dakpemah Ladies SC became maiden Champions in runaway fashion going through the entire competition unbeaten, accumulating a whopping 42 points and scoring 84 goals without conceding any.
The closest their counterparts, Northern Queens, Oxford SC and Rising SC could come with 28, 25 and 20 points respectively.
The coronation of the Champions was a heavily patronized ceremony, held with pomp and pageantry at the Kulikuli School Astro Turf in Tamale.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) was represented at the ceremony by a delegation led by Regional Football Association’s Coordinator Mr. Daasebre Adu-Asare, Mrs. Jennifer Ohene Amankwah Sarpong, Women Football Development Manager, and Coach Didi Dramani, Head Coach of the Black Galaxies.
In their respective speeches, they all commended Alhaji Mahamadu Abu-Hassan (Rhyzo), the Northern Regional Football Association Chairman, who is also an Executive Council Member of the Ghana Football Association, and his Executive Council, for being the pacesetters in the implementation of this policy which forms an integral part of the Women Football Strategy.
The RFA Coordinator further elaborated on key interventions that have been introduced by the GFA under the leadership of President Kurt E. Simeon-Okraku in its desire to see Grassroots football developed across the country.
He indicated that the introduction of the Inter-district festivals for Under-15 and Under-17 boys is vital for the development of football in Ghana.
Daasebre Adu-Asare added that the Free License D courses for Coaches of Women and Colts clubs, Free registration of Colts players, Distribution of free footballs to Grassroots Clubs all over country, Free First Aid courses, Free training of Administrators and Media Officers, capacity building programs for Women Administrators, creation of junior national teams, among others, are all clear indicators that the GFA is really passionate about Fixing the Fundamentals of Ghana Football.
The culture, colour and merrymaking that climaxed the Coronation gave ample indication of the appreciation of the gathering for the efforts of participating teams, the Northern RFA and the GFA.
It is anticipated that other Regional Football Associations will take a cue from the Northern Region and organise similar competitions in their Regions.
Sports
Anyone who openly display political group paraphernalia will be arrested-NSA
The National Sports Authority in a statement has issued a strong warning to any persons or group intending to use Ghana’s AFCON Qualifier against Sunday to stage a protest.
According to them the Police will subdue any attempt by fans to use today’s game as an opportunity to display political paraphernalia to send a message, adding that CAF rules prohibit political messaging.
In a statement, they noted that “It has come to the attention of the Authority that some individuals intend to use the game between the Black Stars of Ghana and their Sudanese counterparts as a platform to promote an agenda that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) frowns upon.”
The statement further added that “Any individual or group of persons who openly display any political or pressure group paraphernalia, apparel or placards at the Accra Sports Stadium will be apprehended by the security apparatus who will be deployed in and around the facility. In this regard, football fans are advised to adhere to all the match day security regulations before, during and after the game in order to avoid any form of arrest or sanctions.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Sports
Young Apostles dare Hearts in Wenchi
Ghana Premier League (GPL) debutants, Young Apostles FC, will engage Accra Hearts of Oak in a match day six headliner at the Wenchi Stadium tomorrow.
It is expected to be full of fireworks as both teams struggle to return to winning ways, having fumbled in their last games.
Under greater pressure to deliver the maximum points are the Phobians who have plunge into another winless streak stretching two games after appearing to have found a winning formula.
They had a big chance to defeat a 10-man Aduana SC in the previous encounter but failed to capitalise on the advantage.
They will find it tough again to beating Young Apostle who would take inspiration from colleague debutant, Holy Stars, win over the Phobians in Accra in the opening day games.
The Young Apostles have not been at their best, however, they are very determine to upset the inexperienced, Phobians side.
Defending champions, FC Samartex 1996, host Nsoatreman FC at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, Basake Holy Stars entertain Karela United at home, while Nations FC host GoldStars FC at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex.
Today at the University of Ghana (UG) Sports Stadium, Accra Lions FC will host Berekum Chelsea in a very tricky tie.
Also, Heart of Lions would be at Kpando to slug it out with Vision FC in what looks like a game of equals.
However, matches between Legon Cities’ and Asante Kotoko and Bechem United and Medeama SC have been postponed.
The postponement was occasioned by Kokako’s travel to the United States of America to honour an international friendly against DC United.
By Andrew Nortey