Sports
DAF, MAIF support fight against COVID-19
Head of Mission of the Diaspora African Forum (DAF), Ambassador Erieka Bennett and Nadia Murabet, President of Miracle Africa International Foundation (MAIF) may have become popular for their support for the youth through sports – and to an extent education.
However, this time, the two institutions have joined forces in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, after donating hundreds of masks and protective face shields to communities and establishments in the country.
At the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, MAIF and DAF donated masks and protective face shields to the Kumasi Children’s Home and to an elderly care-home in Gambibgo, outside Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region – thanks to the assistance of Dr Nadia Adongo Musah, President of the Ntuune Pogyua Foundation.
“A special thank you to DAF and MAIF for the support of face masks and shields. We believe in taking care of our elderly,” Dr Nadia Adongo Musah said.
Masks and shields were also donated to the Family Child and Associates Medical Centre which focuses on adult care and family health and infectious disease prevention and treatment.
The items were locally produced by Sixteen47 Ghana Limited, a garment factory based in Accra, under the direction and support of owner and CEO, Nura Archer.
DAF Ambassador Dr Erieka Bennett, said: “We are delighted to continue our long-lasting relationship with the MAIF through this much-needed example of caring and sharing. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted our efforts at the beginning of March, but our continuing collaboration inspired us to find new energy to protect those most at risk and restore hope and optimism for a better future.”
“The opportunity to ensure good health and safety for local communities, in addition to the importance of social distancing, personal hygiene and education lies at the heart of all our efforts to defeat this global pandemic,” said Ms Murabet.
“We are proud to collaborate with DAF and the donation of these masks and shields in such a troubled moment for global populations is a sign of solidarity and support during these difficult times.”
A joint statement issued at the weekend by DAF and the Geneva-based MAIF said that “as the world slowly regains its strength from the COVID-19 pandemic and countries begin to count the cost on human and social life, while at the same time plan ways to rebuild communities with new roles and responsibilities, the time for proactive participation in support of the unprecedented health crisis is more important than at any time in recent memory.”
MAIF, however, noted that they were working hard to provide a better quality of life for Africans by initiating and implementing projects and programmes that target sustainable development, stability and global peace for positive world transformation.
“The need to provide concrete actions and material support is one of the reasons why MAIF and DAF, have joined forces with the Diaspora office of the President in Ghana to safeguard the health of children and elderly citizens,” the statement added.
DAF is the first and only diplomatic mission in the world, devoted to the recognition and re-integration of the African Diaspora, based in Ghana and accredited by the African Union. DAF has helped ensure ground-breaking policy changes on the continent for African Diaspora to live, work, visit and invest in Africa, aside its support for sports.
MAIF, on the other hand, uses arts, culture, music and sports events to promote initiatives, create awareness campaigns and build bridges of peace and understanding through education.
DAF and MAIF were on the verge of starting a project “Education through Sports” in Accra with a football festival slated for the El Wak Sports Stadium in March, but was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
BY TIMES SPORTS REPORTER
Attention will be at the Golden City Park in Berekum tomorrow as Hearts of Oak lock horns with Berekum Chelsea FC in a Ghana Premier League Matchday 6 game that promises an electrifying atmosphere.
Lying sixth on the league table with two wins and three draws, the Phobians visit a ground that has been favourable to them in recent times. In their last three visits to the Golden City Park, Hearts have amassed seven out of nine points, putting them in strong contention to win.
Head Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani says, “The team is making progress in its tactical identity despite the lack of goals, and this is something we are working on ahead of this game.”
Hearts will come face-to-face with former coach Samuel Boadu, whose side lies a distant 13th on the league table with a win and a draw from four games. Coach Boadu is yet to celebrate a victory over the Phobians since joining the Berekum lads and would hope this fixture marks a turnaround.
Ninth-placed Vision FC would trek to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem to play Bechem United, while new boys Hohoe United host Aduana FC at the Hohoe Sports Stadium.
Returnees Swedru All Blacks will welcome Basake Holy Stars to the Swedru Sports Stadium, with defending league champions Bibiani Gold Stars staying put at their backyard, the Dun’s Park, to welcome second-placed Heart of Lions FC on Monday.
Today at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa, Medeama SC will clash with Samartex FC in a Western derby. Other games scheduled for today would see Eleven Wonders FC host Karela United at the Swedru Sports Stadium, while Dreams FC face Nations FC at the Tuba Astro Turf.
By Raymond Ackumey
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Ghana coach Otto Addo may not command the kind of fear and respect like Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique and others in the modern game, but in his small corner, he is gradually climbing the ladder to greatness in Ghana, Africa and the world at large.
The aforementioned coaches attained greatness with club sides and, therefore, open an argument over whether one is not comparing apples to oranges. But no matter how one looks at it, they are all coaches harbouring similar ambitions to attain greatness in their fields.
Otto Addo is one of the young and upcoming coaches holding a lot of promise and was getting experience with his association with Borussia Dortmund in Germany until his path was directed by a Ghana call.
Although he was born in Germany, Otto Addo’s association with Ghana football dates back to 1999, spanning a period of about seven years; commencing with a 5–0 rout of Eritrea on February 28. He gained international prominence when he joined the squad for the 2000 African Cup of Nations. He featured as a midfielder in the team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
But like it’s often said, a prophet is not recognised in his own home and his efforts partially went unnoticed. He’ll go into the annals as one of the Black Stars coaches to have been fairly or otherwise criticised not just by ‘football people’ but fans who doubted him.
His sack has been discussed at various platforms by people whose knowledge and tactical acumen about the game remains questionable. Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Adams, at one point openly stated his doubts over Otto Addo’s ability to actually deliver.
No coach would feel secured in such turbulent times, but coach Otto Addo kept his calm and composure. On the corridors of his employers, however, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Okraku, openly rallied support for him, though a few ‘doubting Thomases’ still questioned his credentials.
That painted a picture of a people that forget easily and are quick to crucify. In a brief moment of adversity, Ghanaians forgot how Otto Addo was brought in to pluck qualification for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup from the jaws of the Super Eagles of Nigeria with a solitary goal over two legs.
The upshot of that feat was not one any Nigerian would want to remember. The scenes after the match were awfully chaotic, as fans vented their anger on facilities at the stadium. Back in Ghana, it was partying all night and day.
Otto Addo was labeled the football magician. He achieved something no Ghanaian coach had ever accomplished; a feat which Ghana with her all-time best teams could not attain. That was the climax to which Otto Addo took Ghana football, generating calls to start believing in the Ghanaian coach.
Following that to the World Cup proper was another story altogether. It was, or may have been, our poorest show at any of the four World Cup appearances. And just as it was stipulated in his contract, he bowed out after the Qatar World Cup to mind his Borussia Dortmund business with peace.
But as fate would have it, nature found a way to renew his romance with Ghana football after an unconvincing start to the America, Canada and Mexico dream World Cup under special advisor turned coach, Chris Hughton.
Ghana started the qualifiers on a winning note but not a convincing performance. It was saved by an Inaki Williams goal scored on the sixth minute of additional time against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The Black Stars then slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the Stade de Moroni to Comoros to heighten calls for a new technical direction.
Then stepped in Otto Addo when Ghana occupied the fourth position in Group I with three points but with the countries in the group evenly matched.
By Andrew Nortey
