Sports
Barnor’s task to steer GBA’s ship
Almost four years ago, Mr Abraham Kotei Neequaye was hailed by boxing stakeholders after occupying the hot seat of president of the Ghana Boxing Association (GBA).
He came in as second vice president of the association, serving under the Peter Zwenne’s administration.
Neequaye’s rise was historic, coming as the second democratically elected president to follow the footsteps of his former boss and mentor, Lawyer Zwennes.
He was greeted in many quarters like boxers, coaches, managers, promoters and others as he was seen as someone coming from the grassroots.
With his close association with this group of boxing fanatics, it was presumed Neequaye knows and understands the challenges facing the sport more than anybody.
For this reason, expectation was very high.
Almost four years down the line, Mr Neequaye has become a persona non grata among the same group of people whose shoulders he rose to stardom.
The groupings seem tired of their own man and are bent on bringing him down.
Sources within his executive board have hinted of serious cracks within the body, accusing him of being a dictator and many others, although those on his side have denied these claims and described the accusers as hypocrites.
However, the extent to which the GBA troubles have escalated leaves much to be desired as state institutions such as the Ministry of Sports and Recreation (MoSR) and the National Sports Authority (NSA) enter the fray as possible opponents.
At a press conference to explain his decision to call it quit, Mr Neequaye did not spare the two agencies for the roles they played in his troubles and intended actions against them.
Clearly, Neequaye is unhappy with the involvement of the MoSR and NSA in the GBA’s matters, stretching to the postponement of the association’s planned elective congress.
He has shown this by throwing personal tantrums at the heads of the institutions – Mr Kofi Adams, the sector minister, and Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the NSA boss.
He warned the latter for instance to stay away from the GBA issues because it remains an autonomous body.
It is a genuine call the MoSR and NSA must heed to and take a back seat and allow boxing people to solve their own problem.
This dare not happen in football because when it does, issues of government interference would come up and soon would land on the corridors of FIFA, a body that prohibits the act.
Neequaye’s call in that regard was very well placed and was important the sports ministry and NSA stay away because they have the men to sort themselves out.
The GBA is just like other federations administering athletics, football, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis and many others. They derive their powers from international federations that holds them responsible for their actions and inactions.
Any attempt by the two agencies in their affairs would clearly be considered as interference from the government, a situation that can attract an outright ban if established.
The open vow to ‘fight’ Mr Kofi Adams and Nii Lante Vanderpuye, a former minister of state was, however, unfortunate from the embattled former GBA President.
The ‘fight’, therefore, to restores or maintains the GBA’s autonomy would rest on the shoulders of the Second Vice President, Roger Barnor.
Barnor will steer the ship in the absence of the first vice president, Mr Rabbon Dodoo, who resigned along the way.
In his first interview, he has stated that he has come to do what he is expected to do.
Barnor has inherited a troubled GBA that has seen members gone ‘haywire’, firing all kinds of missiles.
What he needs to do now is to get all the feuding parties to ceasefire, resolve their differences and fully take the administration of the association and set up a roadmap for its elective congress.
Neequaye may have gotten a few things wrong in his tumultuous journey as GBA president but his call that “The Ghana Boxing Authority and its stakeholders have to fight for their rights,” is one that every stakeholder must support with every sinew.
By Andrew Nortey
Football is widely regarded as a sport where teamwork, not always individual brilliance, leads to success. This principle likely underpins the notable confidence expressed by Ghanaian soccer fans following the draw for the FIFA 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
So, despite the not-so-impressive performance of the Black Stars, Ghanaians remain optimistic about the team’s chances.
Last Friday’s draw pitched the Black Stars against England, Croatia, and Panama in a group that has been described in several ways. Some say it is manageable; others believe it is a tricky group, while for some, it represents Ghana’s easiest group compared to previous World Cups attended.
In sampling the views of some soccer fans, one retorted: “This is the best group in our World Cup history. England is no match. We may draw with Croatia and beat Panama. We are the favourites in the group.”
At that point, I conceded the lack of the “technical, or perhaps spiritual, eyes” that allow some fans to reach such confident conclusions about the Black Stars’ prospects.
Taking a closer look at the group, England are, without doubt, the strongest on paper with a fourth-place ranking in the latest FIFA rankings. Croatia follows in 10th position, Panama in 30th, and the Black Stars in 72nd position.
These statistics and several other factors make the fans’ overwhelming confidence appear untenable, and it would be wise to join those urging Team Ghana to tread with caution.
Comparatively, England comes to the table with the strongest team not just by virtue of their ranking. They also boast a squad featuring players from top clubs across the globe. Top performers like Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Marc Guehi, Alexander Trent-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden, Harry Kane, and others can be identified with the Three Lions.
The Croatians also boast world-class players such as Dominik Livaković, Joško Gvardiol, Luka Modrić, Nikola Vlašić, Andrej Kramarić, Ivan Perišić, Toni Fruk, and many others.
Ghana, however, comes with a talented squad that will depend more on teamwork rather than individual brilliance, which the aforementioned teams could boast of.
With all things working together for the good of the Black Stars, Coach Otto Addo will have the luxury of calling on Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams, Benjamin Asare, Mohammed Kudus, Kwesi Sibo, and other emerging talents.
For Panama, they have a virtually unknown squad with players plying their trade in some respectable leagues. In their final qualifier, they featured Marseille right-back Michael Amir Murillo, Norwich City center-back Jose Cordoba, Slovan Bratislava defender Cesar Blackman, Las Palmas midfielder Edward Cedeno, Pumas UNAM playmaker Adalberto Carrasquilla, and San Diego midfielder Anibal Godoy.
Panama comes as the biggest beneficiary of the CONCACAF decision to host the World Cup, granting three automatic qualifications to the USA, Canada, and Mexico. But this does not make them automatic minnows, as many fans might want to believe.
It would be unrealistic to assume that the Black Stars have the men to outshine England or Croatia based purely on individual talents. But since football thrives on teamwork, Panama—and just like Ghana—can dare to dream against the big boys in the group and rewrite their World Cup history.
By Andrew Nortey
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Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko would hope to return to winning ways this weekend following defeats in their Matchday 13 Ghana Premier League (GPL) games last week.
Both teams suffered defeats on the road, leaving them with 21 points apiece, with the Phobians sitting seventh, two places below Kotoko.
At the University of Ghana Sports Stadium today, Hearts of Oak will attempt a second straight victory when they host Nations FC. The Phobians lost 1-0 to Nations FC last season in this fixture at the Tuba Astro Turf, a game many Hearts fans would want to forget.
Tomorrow, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, injury-stricken Asante Kotoko will hope for a good day when they host 14th-placed Dreams FC. Dreams FC suffered a 4-1 battering last season in this fixture and will be looking for revenge.
Dreams FC, led by Winfred Dormon, a protégé of Coach Zito, will aim to exact revenge on his former boss following that heavy defeat last season.
After going down 2-0 in the highly-anticipated Western Derby against Samartex FC last week, Bibiani Gold Stars return to their base at the Dun’s Park to host Medeama SC in another blockbuster Western derby.
Following their 2-0 victory over Hearts last week, Karela United will trek to the Wenchi Sports Stadium to face Young Apostles.
In other games, Berekum Chelsea will hope to return to winning ways when they host high-flying Hohoe United at the Golden City Park, while Basake Holy Stars FC will host Samartex FC at the Ampian AAK II Sports Arena in Azulewanu.
Swedru All Blacks will take on Vision FC at the Swedru Stadium, with the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park hosting the Bechem United FC vs. Eleven Wonders game.
By Raymond Ackumey
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