Sports
Better times ahead for Stacey
Harry Stacey
“I’m not too mad at the performance, although it wasn’t my best. It’s been a learning experience and definitely building blocks for the future.”
The above was the reaction from one of Ghana’s two representatives in swimming at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Harry Stacey.
As a debutant and relatively a new face as far as swimming was concerned in Ghana, not much was required of him.
So when he lined up in the 100m Men Freestyle event in Heat 4, expectation was modest.
Stacey finished seventh with a time of 51.12 seconds, failing to qualify to the semifinals of the event.
As if that was not enough, the former Marlins Swim Club member’s time could notbetter his national record time of 50.57 seconds over the distance.
Naturally, the performance and disappointing outcome appears to have gone with the wind because ‘Fellow’ Ghanaians are becoming indifferent towards the country’s contingents at such sports festivals.
As a beneficiary of one of the two wild cards granted by World Aquatics, FINA, following Ghana’s showing in swimming at the Accra 2023 Africa Games, Stacey was granted an opportunity to more or less dine with the swimming greats.
He represented no threat to any of the medals at stake because his time comes nowhere near the properly qualified swimmers.
As a young lad coming up, he and Ghana should be grateful for the opportunity and not be so shattered about his performance.
Stacey must be guided by the second part of the quote attributed to him that, “It’s been a learning experience and definitely building blocks for the future.”
That perfectly describes his situation, especially when featuring in an event like swimming, dominated by countries such as the USA, Australia, South Africa and others with competitive advantage.
Instead of crying over spilt milk, Stacey should remain focused on improving his performances to record better times. His dream is very possible, but will take a lot of time, sacrifice and dedication to reach there.
The fact that swimming is yet to chalk any major feat as far as international championships are concerned does not mean that no athlete from Ghana can gain global recognition.
Under our own eyes and noses, South Sudan, a country with a dog’s chance in the world of sport is being discussed on major platforms because of the performance exhibited by its basketball team, the Bright Stars.
They convincingly defeated Puerto Rico in the basketball event at the ongoing Games. Prior to that, they faced almighty USA in a preparatory game before the Games kicked off, losing by just a basket.
Clearly, that is an indication that there could be light at the end of the tunnel for the young and upcoming Stacey who would ride at the back of this opportunity to take the swimming world by storm.
By Andrew Nortey
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
