Sports
Big advantage for Hearts…to play CL Kamsar in Accra
Ghana champions Hearts of Oak were putting their act together for a trip to Conakry for the first leg preliminary game against Guinean side CL Kamsar on Sunday, September 12.
However, from nowhere, the French-speaking West African country slipped into chaos as Guinean special forces seized power in a coup d’état led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya.
With barely a week to the first leg game, many wondered whether a new venue in a neighbouring country was going to be the Guineans’ new host. But the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had other plans.
On Wednesday, a decision was announced. It was not good news for the Guineans as they are would not have the luxury of playing a home game.
According to CAF, Hearts will now host CL Kamsar in a one-off game on September 19, 2021 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The winner of the tie is set to advance to the next stage of the 2021/22 Total Energies CAF Champions League.
In a statement from the Ghana FA delivered by CAF, the Organising Committee of the Competition has decided that the match, which was scheduled to be played in Guinea this weekend, will not take place in view of the political unrest in the country.
In a letter sent to the General Secretary of the GFA, Prosper Harrison Addo, on the situation, CAF quoted the provisions of Articles 1 & 2.1 of Chapter XIII of the Regulations governing the competition which stipulates that the following shall applied:
“1. In case of troubles, wars, forces majeure or internal situations in a country that may affect the security conditions during planning of a match, the Organizing Committee may take the following measures: 2. In two leg matches (home and away):
2.1 If the case concerns only one country, the federation will play its home match on a ground in another country, or a single game will be played on the opponent’s field. Where appropriate, the Organizing Committee will determine the match venue.” The winner of this single match will qualify to the 2nd preliminary round of the competition. In case of a draw at the end of the regulatory time, the winner shall be determined by penalty kicks in accordance to the Laws of the Game.”
Kick-off time for the match is 4pm.
The news must have been a welcome one for the Phobians who would enjoy the support of the home crowd to sail through.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
Sports
Follow official procedures when making donations to the club – Hearts of Oak to fans
Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club has reminded its supporters and well-wishers to follow official procedures when making donations to the club.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the club said it appreciates the continuous support shown by individuals and groups toward its teams, including the Senior Boys Team, Auroras, Oak Ladies and Royal Oaks.
However, management expressed concern over unsolicited donations and public fundraising activities outside the club’s structures.
It noted that while goodwill is welcome, all forms of support must be routed through the Supporter Liaison Office at the club’s secretariat.
According to the statement, the welfare of the teams is the responsibility of management, and any attempt to bypass established protocols undermines transparency and accountability.
The club stressed that donations not channeled through the official process would not be accepted by team officials or coaching staff.
Hearts of Oak assured supporters that it remains committed to building a united club culture based on professionalism, discipline and respect.
It also encouraged stakeholders to work with management to uphold the dignity of the club.
The club urged the public to contact the Supporter Liaison Office through the secretariat for inquiries and support,
By: Jacob Aggey
Sports
Armwrestling: Immigration, Prisons meet African champions
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and Ghana Prisons Service (GPS) in separate ceremonies have welcomed officers of both security institutions who recently returned from Abuja, Nigeria after participating in the 14th Africa Armwrestling Championship.
The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mr. Patience Baffoe Bonnie, and the leadership of the Service, were present to congratulate the champions, Daniel Acquah (four gold medals), Mabel Yeboah (four gold medals) and Henry Otoo (two silver, two bronze), on their impressive performances.
The champions presented their medals to the Director-General, and shared their experiences and insights with the top officials.
During the meeting, the Director-General of the GPS, Mrs Baffoe Bonnie, expressed her excitement about the potential benefits of sports for inmates.
She noted that sports could play a significant role in rehabilitation and pledged to support the development of armwrestling within the prisons service.
In a related development, the Comptroller-General of the GIS, CGI Samuel Basintale, commended his members – Edward Yamoah Asamoah (two gold medals), Blessed Abeka Nunoo (one gold, one silver, two bronze), Godwin Sackey (one gold, one silver) and referee Nii Otoo Larkyne, for the feat.
Mr Basintale promised to provide support for the development of armwrestling within the service, including training facilities, equipment, and sponsorship.
The African Armwrestling champions from the security services won a total of 20 medals out of Ghana’s 55 medal haul.
They expressed gratitude and promised to continue promoting the sport and inspiring others to take up armwrestling.
Mr Charles Osei Asibey, President for Ghana Armwrestling Federation, was thrilled by the promise and continuous collaborations and support for the development of armwrestling in Ghana by the security services.
—GNA
