Sports
Dauda, apologise for your shameful howler! Don’t blame Ghanaians
When you hear the distressing statement: “Wonders will never end,” the speaker may have been racked by an uncomfortable stunning revelation.
Perhaps, in the same vein, one will be compared to borrow that disquieting phrase in response to a statement by former Black Stars goalkeeper Fatau Dauda that sought to blame Ghanaians for the Black Stars’ shambolic performance at the Brazil 2014 World Cup tournament.
He told Atinka TV that Ghanaians had to share in the blame for the let-down. How?
Hear him:”If you ask me that question, the best answer is that everyone – including Ghanaians must be blamed. Like I said, we all caused it because nothing happened among us (Players],”he said, proceeding to deny any fracas in the team’s camp.
“I didn’t see any fight among players, maybe it happened and I didn’t see. We never said they should pay us before honouring the final group match against Portugal,” he told Atinka TV last week.
Blue blistering barnacles! How on earth would you attribute the Stars’ not-up-to-scratch output to the fans – some of whom had fasted for the team to drive beyond the quarter final berth of South Africa 2010 – to make it to the last four.
Question is, what role did Ghanaians play in the Stars’ 1-2 loss to USA in the team’s opening game? In a post-match interview after the loss, did Coach Kwasi Appiah not say he rested his ‘killer players’ strategically because he wanted his opponents to run out of steam before introducing them? Did Ghanaians motivate that ham-fisted inept decision?
Now, after holding eventual winners Germany to that intriguingly pulsating 2-2 draw in the second group game, Ghana needed to defeat Portugal to qualify to the next round. But what happened? Dauda incredibly gifted Portugal’s poster-boy Cristiano Ronaldo a cheap goal – a howler that culminated in the Stars’ 2-1 loss – ultimately eliminating them from a tournament experts had tipped them to go far.
Indeed, none of Ghana’s players in the Brazil 2014 tournament have the moral justification to criticise anybody because they let down the nation fatally when so much was expected of them.
They demanded a $100,000 appearance fee; held the nation to ransom – and broke the nation’s heart even though they were handed the monies they requested before the crucial Portugal game.
That key players: Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng were fired from camp ahead of the final game was an indication of the fact that all was not well.
What, perhaps, Ghanaians want from Dauda is to render a grave apology for that fatal howler and not to apportion unnecessary blame on the clean-handed.
Good such characters are no more part of the present national team. They have seen their best, and we can only look forward!
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
Sports
TTU to honour athletes at 2nd sports awards night
Takoradi Technical University (TTU) will tonight host its 2nd Sports Awards Night to honour outstanding athletes, teams, and contributors who have promoted the institution’s sporting reputation.
The event, which will take place at the Nicholas Aidoo Taylor Auditorium, will be chaired by Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, with Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, as Guest of Honour.
Other dignitaries expected include Member of Parliament for Effia, Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, and Municipal Chief Executive for Effia-Kwesimintsim, Abdul Majeed Dokurgu.
TTU said the awards will celebrate a year marked by exceptional performances, record-breaking moments, and contributions that have boosted both the competitive spirit and institutional pride of the university.
The ceremony will be held under the theme, “Recognising Excellence in Scholarship and Sportsmanship.”
The university noted that it has become a powerhouse in university sports, winning back-to-back championships at the GHATUSA Games in Tamale and Cape Coast.
It attributed the success to integrating sports into academic life, introducing sports scholarships, building the TTU Sports Complex, providing strategic funding, and offering strong logistical support.
Director of Public Affairs and Secretary to the Sports and Recreation Committee, Joseph Mensah Oti-Asirifi, said the awards go beyond recognising individual winners, adding that they are also a tribute to the discipline, resilience, and unity that define TTU’s sporting culture.
He stated that every nominee is a champion whose efforts have brought pride to the university and enhanced its reputation on both national and continental stages.
The programme will feature two segments of award presentations, with categories covering football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, tennis, handball, badminton, athletics, scrabble, and taekwondo, for both male and female divisions.
Nominees include Jane Membong in athletics, Hajara Ibrahim in basketball, Samuel Aidoo in football, and Prince Egyir in handball, as well as Papa Kwansa Baidoo, Prince Davies, and Ahmed Anas Salis.
Special awards will also be presented to individuals whose contributions have inspired the TTU community beyond the field of competition.
Chairman of the Sports and Recreation Committee, Joseph Danso, said the planning team has worked to ensure the event captures the spirit of sportsmanship, dedication, and unity that characterise TTU sports.
The university recalled that the inaugural edition honoured Raymond French, Sarah Quansah, and Rebecca Mba, setting a high standard for sporting recognition.
By: Jacob Aggrey
