Sports
Autistic cyclist dazzles at Homowo Cycling Challenge
Autistic cyclist, Young Phil Bertino was the toast of fans at this year’s Homowo Cycling Challenge at Teshie recently when he joined over 70 professional cyclists for the event.
Young Phil, who was the guest rider, put up a splendid performance to finish his 76km race in a time of 2:45:33secs with an average speed of 27.56km/h, and received massive cheers for his effort.
The cycling sensation was presented with a special trophy, medal and jersey for his tremendous achievement on the day.
Speaking after the event, Founder of the Liztino Centre for Children with Special Needs and mother of Young Phil, Mrs Angel Bertino expressed appreciation to organisers for providing the platform for her ward to exhibit his talent.
Mrs Bertino, who also sponsored the event, called for the need to expose children with autism to physical activities such as cycling.
“There are many of such children like Phil in our communities and are rejected and called names because of their attributes. But just like Phil managed to get better and gradually becoming one of the best cyclists in the country, every other kid could also get well and live a normal life,” she stated.
She added that, the public must accept such children and support them to grow and become responsible to society.
Organiser of the Challenge, Nathaniel Sowah Agoe, also commended Phil and all cyclists for showing up for 17th edition of the event.
The main 90km criteria race was however won by Ghana’s top cyclist, Frank Akuffo with Frank Quaye and Prince Kudufia settling for the second and third positions respectively.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
A step closer to glory awaits six Ghana Premier League (GPL) club sides and two Division One clubs as they battle for spots at the semi-finals stage of the 2025-26 MTN FA Cup this weekend at the Cape Coast Stadium and the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem.
Dreams FC, the 2022-2023 champions, will clash with Heart of Lions in the quarter-finals at the Cape Coast Stadium tomorrow at pm.
Heart of Lions are going through a difficult spell in the league, having lost ground on their title aspirations that started brightly.
Dreams FC thrashed Lions 3-0 in the reverse fixture of the GPL game in January after losing 1-0 in the first round tie, and tomorrow’s game comes in to settle the scores between the two sides this season.
Although struggling, Lions lie two places above Dreams’ 12th position on the league log and will look to take that inspiration into the game.
The day’s other game will see two-time champions Medeama SC battle Access Bank Division One League (DOL) Zone Three side Attram De Visser at the same venue at 7pm.
The GPL leaders Medeama SC are in the chase for a double this season and will chase a win to appease their fans.
After defeating Asante Kotoko 4-2 on penalties in the Round of 16, Aduana FC will seek to account for Access Bank DOL Zone One B campaigners, Techiman Liberty Youth, today.
Aduana FC are in the hunt for a double this season as they are currently third on the GPL table, trailing leaders Medeama SC with five points.
Having been decisive in matches against Nsuatre FC, Victory Club Warriors and Real Tamale United to get this far, the best in the annals of the club’s history, coach Ezekiel Nii Yeboah of Liberty Youth would be out to cause an upset.
At the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem tomorrow, another interesting pairing is set to play out as the all-Premier League affair between Nations FC and Berekum Chelsea takes centre stage.
By Raymond Ackumey
The Black Starlets will intensify preparations for the upcoming 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations with a double-header of friendly matches against FC Samartex 1996 at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, Samraboi.
The national U-17 side will first take on the youth team of Samartex on Saturday at4pm, as the technical team continues to assess player combinations and sharpen match readiness ahead of the continental tournament.
The following day, Sunday, March 15, the Starlets will return to the same venue to face the senior side of Samartex in another crucial preparatory fixture, also scheduled for 4pm.
These matches form part of a series of build-up games designed to test the squad’s depth, tactical discipline and competitive edge as they prepare for the AFCON challenge.
The Starlets have already played several friendly matches during their training programme, including encounters against True Democracy FC, Port City FC, Attram De Visser Academy, Semper Fi FC and Golden Kick FC.
The upcoming double-header is expected to provide another valuable opportunity for the technical team to fine-tune strategies and evaluate players as Ghana’s young talents continue their preparations for the 2026 U-17 AFCON.
