Sports
Hearts poised for season’s double
The 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League (GPL) winners Accra Hearts of Oak will be chasing a double when they clash with AshantiGold in the grand finale of this season’s MTN FA Cup tomorrow at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Phobians would be beaming with confidence as their home venue hosts the final with fans expected to troop to the stadium to cheer the club to another victory.
Hearts also go into the game with the record of the most successful club in the history of the FA Cup with 10 titles as against AshantiGold who only won the competition in 1993.
The Phobians have enjoyed an incredible season and arguably the best team in the country at the moment – are favourites for the FA Cup trophy.
Their resilience showed in the thumping of Medeama in the semi final and are expected to display their outstanding rhythm against their Sunday opponents.
Though AshantiGold also displayed their scoring prowess in their 4-1 extra time victory in the semi finals against Berekum Chelsea, Hearts appear to be the more organised side going into the encounter.
The likes of Daniel Afriyie Barnie, Raddy Ovouka, Benjamin Afutu, Salifu Ibrahim and Emmanuel Nettey would be the key players to ‘do the damage’ for Hearts. Coach Samuel Boadu and his technical team would also be in battle at the touchline, guiding the team to another victory.
AshantiGold, however, will be a hard nut to crack as they would be chasing the trophy for nearly two decades.
The Obuasi side are also chasing CAF Confederations Cup next season and the FA Cup will would be a huge case for the club.
The likes of Eric Esso, David Abagna and Seth Osei would be making things tick for AshantiGold with their usual threat to the backline of their opponents.
Fans from Obuasi would also travel to the capital to witness the finals and support their team to victory.
It promises to be an exciting game as both teams appear to be in good shape and would give fans a lot to cheer about in their quest to win the prestigious MTN FA Cup trophy.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
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
