Sports
Kemeh: Govt must make boxing attractive to youth
A Ghanaian world title prospect, Dodzi Kemeh has urged government to invest in boxing to make it attractive for the youth.
According to him, government can only reap the full benefits of the sports –raising world champions and Olympic gold medalists – after investing heavily in the sport’s development and promotion.
Speaking to the Times Sports yesterday, Kemeh, an IBF Africa super welterweight champion said one of the ways government can support boxing is by providing job opportunities and other income sustaining activities for the boxers so they can concentrate on the sport.
“In my view, boxers can be allowed work in the military, police and other sectors so they could have something to rely on aside boxing.
“That will reduce the hardships that boxers currently face prior and post COVID-19 era and ensure they have something else to rely upon after active sports, “he explained.
He urged the public to support the boxers within their communities, adding that “there is hope for Ghanaian boxers as far as winning world titles were concerned.”
On his career progress, Kemeh remains optimistic about becoming a world champion soon.
The 29-year-old said, his only stumbling block has been the COVID-19 pandemic which has halted boxing and other sporting activities globally.
Dodzi was scheduled to engage in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) Africa Super welter boxing bout on April 11 under ACE Power Promotions event dubbed “Thunder in the Volta.”
However, the fight had been postponed in adherence to government cancellation of public events in the country as a result of the outbreak of the pandemic.
Dodzi who currently holds the IBF Africa super welterweight title, said “but for COVID-19, I would have defended my title and will be looking forward to other challenges ahead of a world title shot.”
“I am still training on daily basis; dreaming to become a world champion for Ghana within a couple of years after boxing resumes, “he stated.
“I have a lot to show the boxing community and Ghanaians would soon see my capabilities on the global stage and will in the end make everyone proud, “he stressed.
Source: Ghanaian Times
Ashantigold SC has terminated the contracts of three members of its technical team with immediate effect.
The affected officials are head coach and technical director Abdul Karim Zito, assistant coach Ernest Okyere, and goalkeepers’ trainer Robert Dabo.
The decision was announced in a statement signed by the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Edward Kwasi Akuoko.
According to the statement, the decision was taken following a consultative meeting by the Interim Management Committee on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The club says a caretaker coach has been appointed to steer the affairs of the team until a substantive coach/technical director is appointed.
Management expressed gratitude to the affected officials for their contribution and service to the team and wished them well in their future endeavours.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
England captain Harry Kane says it was extra special to be presented with the Ballon d’Or by one of his childhood idols.
Kane made the comment after receiving the prestigious award from former Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario.
“Ronaldo was one of my idols growing up,” Kane said.
The Bayern Munich striker described the moment as surreal, being honoured by a player he looked up to as a young footballer.
Kane was announced as the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium, marking the 70th anniversary of the award and the first time the ceremony was held outside France.
The 33-year-old beat stiff competition from second-placed Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal to win his first ever Ballon d’Or.
He becomes the first Englishman to win the coveted individual award in 25 years since Michael Owen in 2001, and only the fifth Englishman ever after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.
He is also the first Bayern Munich player to win the award since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.
Kane won the award after a remarkable season in which he scored 61 goals in 51 club matches, the most a Bayern player has ever scored in one campaign.
Including England matches, it was 73 goals plus eight assists in 65 matches. His 73 goals is the second-highest single-season total ever behind Lionel Messi’s 82 in 2011-12.
Despite the goal haul, Kane did not win the Champions League or World Cup, with Bayern losing 6-5 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals and England losing 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final before finishing third.
The award was presented by Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazario, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner himself, adding what was described as a special dimension to Kane’s historic achievement.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
