Sports
Record sale at Michael Jordan’s Trainers auction
Trainers worn by double Olympic basketball champion Michael Jordan have been sold for a record amount at an auction.
The trainers went under the hammer in New York Sunday and fetched $560,000, more than four times their original estimate, as reported by Bloomberg.
Bidding for the Air Jordan 1s, custom-made for the former Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards player, in sizes 13 and 13 a half, and in Bulls colours, started more than a week ago with predictions they would go for around $150,000.
The trainers were worn by Jordan during his rookie season with the Bulls in 1984-85.
They were auctioned by Sotheby’s, who held an earlier record for trainers at auction, when a pair of Moon Shoes by Nike was sold for $437,500 last year.
Today’s sale also broke the previous record for shoes used in sports sold at auction, when a pair of shoes worn by Sir Roger Bannister as he became the first man to run a mile in under four minutes, in 1954, sold for $409,000.
Sotheby’s said the Air Jordan 1s came from the collection of Jordan Geller, a collector and founder of the ShoeZeum, a trainer museum.
“It just speaks to Michael Jordan’s incredible legacy and people recognising him as the greatest athlete to ever play.”
The previous record for a pair of shoes worn by Jordan in a match was when a pair of converse shoes he wore at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles sold for $190,373 in June 2017.
Jordan was part of two gold medal winning United States teams at Olympic Games – Los Angeles 1984 and Barcelona 1992.
Last month, a signed Jordan Dream Team jersey, which he wore as the US took gold in Barcelona, sold at auction for $216,000. –Insidethegames.biz
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
