News - AFRICAN SPORTS MONTHLY

KOYA QUEENS, THE RISING TORNADO OF FEMALE FOOTBALL IN SIERRA LEONE

9/9/2023

Koya Queens is one of the 12 Clubs of the new Sierra Leone Female Premier Football League based in Magbonthoso (Mile 38), Koya Chiefdom of Port Loko District, Northern Sierra Leone. The team was founded in 2016 by a school Teacher, Mr. Alie M. Koroma an indigene of Mile 38, and his colleagues who are also teachers all of whom had the urge that girls in that part of the country should have to have a football team. With this in mind, they started training the girls during outdoor sessions of their Physical and Health Education periods in the school timetable.

G20 Leaders look forward to Paris 2024 “as a symbol of peace” and “with participation of all”

9/9/2023

The Heads of State and Heads of Government of the G20, who met in New Delhi, India, this weekend, declared their strong support for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. The G20 Presidency is currently held by India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

FIBA and Molten continue to blaze their basketball trail for the next two World Cup cycles

9/9/2023

MANILA (Philippines) - FIBA and Molten will continue working as Global Partners into a fifth decade after holding a renewal ceremony to celebrate a special collaboration that stretches back to 1982.

The relationship between both organizations has delivered success through a shared passion and commitment to grow basketball globally and to innovate, with the 40-year anniversary marked in 2022.

First FIBA Central Board meeting for new term convenes in Manila on eve of World Cup Final

9/9/2023

MANILA (Philippines) – The newly appointed FIBA Central Board for the cycle of 2023 to 2027 convened today for their first meeting under the leadership of FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani.

A new Central Board was recently appointed during the XXII FIBA Congress, held in Manila prior to the tip-off of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Thirteen members were announced, along with a new President and Treasurer.

Rising Juvenile Star Samuel Plange Dreams Of Becoming World Boxing Champion

9/9/2023

12 years old Samuel Plange for the second season running was voted Best Juvenile Boxer at the Greater Accra Ga Homowo Boxing Tournament.
He is a product of the Jamestown Boxing Club, headed by Coach Randy who has groomed the prodigy to get involved in so many bouts, so he is never afraid of anybody.
Samuel Plange was inspired by his own dad, Mr Isaac Plange when he was four years old, as he saw the future of boxing in him.

Pray for Black Bombers and Black Hitters - Coach Asare

9/9/2023

Head trainer of the national Boxing teams, Black Bombers and Black Hitters, coach Dr. Ofori Asare has called on Ghanaians to pray for the boxers to win and qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Speaking to Yours Truly in an interview, he said the boxers have prepared and trained well for the tournament, but that is not enough until the blessings of God or spiritual aspect is added.

Black Bombers And Hitters Start Journey To Paris 2024 In Dakar

9/9/2023

Seven Ghana Boxers will be in the ring in Dakar today in the Round of 16 to begin their journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Janet Acquah will meet Veliswa Siphendis of Swaziland in the Women’s Flyweight,, Lightweight Sarah Apew will clash with Valera C. Mendes of Cape Verde, while Seth Gyamfi aka Freezy Macbones takes on home boy Seydou M. Konate of Senegal in the Men’s Heavyweight.

Message from Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah to Namibia ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup

9/9/2023

From the highest dunes in the world at Sossusvlei and for the Etosha National Park, one of the world's greatest conservation areas, Namibia has what no other has

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 9, 2023/ -- On the eve of Namibia’s first game, Herbert Mensah, the newly elected President of Rugby Africa, (www.RugbyAfrique.com), the continental governing body of rugby across Africa, issues letter addressed to Petrie Theron, President of the Namibia Rugby Union:

Mwa lala po Petrie (Good Morning Petrie)

Ghana Reaches Semi Finals In Amputee Football At First African Para Games

9/9/2023

Ghana’s Black Challenge are in the Semis of the Amputee Football Competition at the First African Para Games being hosted in Accra.
After the Prelims at the UPSA Astro Turf the Finals have been shifted to the McDan Park at La.
If there is one event that Ghana must try to win then it is the Amputee Football.

Ingebrigtsen sets world 2000m record in Brussels

9/9/2023

Brussels’ re-vamped King Baudouin Stadium, with its super-fast new track, was able to celebrate a world record on Friday (8) in the penultimate Wanda Diamond League meeting of the season – courtesy of the endlessly talented Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the men’s 2000m.
The 22-year-old Norwegian won his battle with the clock over the final 600 metres to set a new mark of 4:43.13 – a first outdoor world record for the Olympic champion, who set a world indoor 1500m record of 3:30.60 last year and, at this season’s Paris Diamond League meeting, ran a two miles world best of 7:54.10.

Champion of Unity through Tennis: Gina Asiedu-Ofei Honored at African Community Service Awards 2023

9/9/2023

In the realm of philanthropy and tennis, one name has risen above the rest, capturing the essence of unity and passion. Gina Asiedu-Ofei, an unassuming Ghanaian with an unwavering love for tennis since the tender age of six, has emerged as a beacon of hope and change, impacting lives through her non-profit organization, Bergins Outreach Inc.
The stage was set on September 3rd at the Hilton Hotel in the USA, where the African Community Service Awards (ACSA 2023) unfolded. Among the hundreds seated to witness the celebration of African excellence was Gina Asiedu-Ofei, affectionately known as @daroyalbaby in the virtual realm.

French Embassy in Ghana hosts GOC and APC Bosses at Reception

9/9/2023

Mr. Ben Nunno Mensah, President of the GhanaOlympic Committee (GOC) and Mr. Samson Deen President of the Ghana National Paralympic Committee (NPC) as well as the African Paralympic Commiittee (APC) were special guests of the French Embassy at a reception in Accra.
Ghana’s capital city, Accra is hosting the first ever African Para Games involving three disciplines namely, Wheel Chair Basketball, Wheel Chair Tennis and Amputee Football.

Final set at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

9/9/2023

MANILA (Philippines) - The pairing and schedule for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Final is now confirmed following the successful conclusion of the Semi-Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Final:

FIFA International Transfer Snapshot confirms record-breaking figures

9/9/2023

FIFA has published its International Transfer Snapshot (1 June – 1 September 2023), an analysis of the international player transfer activity during the 2023 mid-year transfer window
ZURICH, Switzerland, September 8, 2023/ -- All time-high of USD 7.36 billion spent on transfer fees between 1 June and 1 September; New milestone: over 10,000 mid-year transfers; USD 696.6 million spent on agent fees, also a new record; Transfers in women’s football also reach new heights.

FIFA has published its International Transfer Snapshot (1 June – 1 September 2023), an analysis of the international player transfer activity during the 2023 mid-year transfer window, which reveals a number of all-time high figures in both men’s and women’s football.

MLS NEXT Announces Key Dates for 2023-24 Season

9/9/2023

The fourth edition of MLS NEXT will feature the best youth teams vying for a chance to become MLS NEXT Cup champions

NEW YORK (Friday, September 8, 2023) – MLS NEXT today announced the key dates for the 2023-24 season, which will include the top youth players in North America competing in league play and at the five national premier events. The 2023-24 season marks MLS NEXT’s fourth as a program and will feature 677 teams competing in nearly 11,000 matches over a ten-month calendar. More than 15,000 players from the country’s leading 143 clubs, including all 29 MLS academies, will play in up to six age groups: U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-19.

Five African footballers nominated for 2023 Ballon d’Or

9/9/2023

The Ballon d'Or is a annual celebration of the most exceptional footballing talent of the season
Five African players are vying to win the Ballon d'Or, one of the most prestigious awards in the football world.
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Cameroon’s Andre Onana and Morocco’s Yassine Bounou have dazzled their way to the 2023 men's shortlist, after impressing football fans and pundits over the past season.

IOC Executive Board proposes eight new IOC Members for election to the Session in Mumbai

9/9/2023

The IOC Executive Board (EB) today agreed to propose eight new IOC Members for election to the 141st IOC Session , which will meet in Mumbai, India, from 15 to 17 October 2023. In doing so, it is following the recommendations of the IOC Members Election Commission.

Baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz Leads Latest List of Retired MLB Stars to Sign with PBX Pickleball

9/9/2023

Photo Credit: Daniel Shirey |Credit: Getty Images

Smoltz joins Eric Gagné, J.D. Drew, Russell Martin, Jason Kendall, Brian Roberts, Derrek Lee, Jeff Cirillo, Mike Matheny, Russ Ortiz, and Clint Hurdle to represent baseball on the pickleball courts

CLEARWATER, Fla. | September 08, 2023 - PBX Pickleball, the organization that unites retired professional athletes with the pickleball community, has signed Baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz, fellow Cy Young Award Winner and 3x All-Star Eric Gangé, World Series Champ and All-Star Game MVP J.D. Drew, 4x All-Star Russell Martin, 3x All-Star Jason Kendall, 2x All-Star Brian Roberts, 2x All-Star and World Series Champ Derrek Lee, 2x All-Star Jeff Cirillo, 4x Gold Glover and veteran MLB manager Mike Matheny, All-Star Russ Ortiz, and former MLB Manager of the Year Clint Hurdle as the latest PBX Pros.

Defender Celebrates Inspiring Trailblazers to Launch Rugby World Cup France 2023 Partnership

9/9/2023

Pioneering British rapper and actor, Kano, headlined the launch night with an exclusive performance in Paris

Friday 8 September, Paris, France: Defender has marked its Worldwide Partnership of the Rugby World Cup France 2023 with an event honouring Defender Trailblazers – modern-day heroes who are changing the face of rugby through their determination, resilience, and human spirit.
Cast from the same mould as Defender, these rugby talents embody its strength of character. They include a 90-year-old doctor who refuses to hang up his shirt, international para-athletes, and the founder of the first LGBT+ friendly rugby club in France.

USA legend Sue Bird named Global Ambassador for FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026

9/9/2023

MANILA (Philippines) - As the most decorated FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup player ever, the iconic Sue Bird will now use her star power as the Global Ambassador for the 2026 edition in Germany.

The USA legend is the only player to have won the women's flagship event four times after accomplishing the feat by stepping out to land gold in 2002 in China, 2010 in the Czech Republic, 2014 in Turkey and 2018 in Spain. Bird also has five Olympic titles and was the flag bearer for her country at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Go-time for FIBA and Asia's biggest natural mineral water brand Ganten with Global Partnership extension

9/9/2023

MANILA (Philippines) - FIBA and Ganten have agreed to extend their strong collaboration until 2027 and the FIBA Basketball World Cup, which will take place in Qatar.

The extension of the partnership was marked with a special ceremony during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Semi-Final game between Serbia and Canada at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.

Asia's leading natural mineral water brand, Ganten, has enjoyed principal commercial rights and exclusivity in the water category across all FIBA competitions since 2018.

CONMEBOL kick off journey of “great joy and happiness” to historic FIFA World Cup 2026™, says FIFA President

9/9/2023

CONMEBOL teams open qualifying for “most inclusive and biggest" FIFA World Cup™ yet, says Gianni Infantino
World champions Argentina feature in opening qualifiers on 7 September
Qualifiers to conclude with intercontinental play offs in March 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said CONMEBOL nations are at the “start of a journey that will spread great joy and happiness” as FIFA World Cup 2022™ winners Argentina and their South American counterparts open qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ .

Alfred Kwame Nuamey wins West Coast PGA Championship at Achimota

9/9/2023

Caption-Winner of the West Coast PGA Alfred Kwame Nuawey in the middle receiving his cheque prize from GM of Achimota Golf Club, Jan Vogel (R) PGA Tournament Dir, Rev Akwasi Prempeh ( L)
35-year-old Achimota based professional golfer, Alfred Kwame Nuamey played some splendid strokes of golf at the nation’s premier course to emerged winner of the West Coast PGA Championship. Against all odds Nuawey called off the challenge of 82 other golfers for the championship top prize cash of ghc4500 after four days of competition at Achimota.

We are using our resources very judiciously - Ghana Boxing Federation President

9/9/2023

President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), DSI Bernard Quartey has disclosed that it has not been easy getting financial support for the national boxing teams, so they have been using all funds that come to their coffers very wisely.
Speaking to Yours Truly on the Olympic Solidarity awarded by the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), he said it was meant for a competition in Cameroun, but they decided to keep it and use it for the African Olympic Qualifiers and other up coming programme.
He expressed that there are series of boxing events for the senior and junior teams as well as the females, but when they are cash strapped they cannot go so when ever they get some form of support, they try to manage.

Ghana secures slot for 2023 AFCON as group winners

9/9/2023

Ghana won the Group E qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Central African Republic 2-1 at the packed Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
The epic match had most fans on the edge of their seats, with Central African Republic dictating the pace of the game in the first half. The visitors scored the opener in the 25th minute through Louis Mafouta. Mafouta who beat goalkeeper AtiZigi with a nice dribble was assisted by Amos Youga.
The Black Stars struggled to create chances decent chances in front of the expectant home fans while the visitors had a field day.