Sports
Let’s speed up on the African Games
There is always a first time for everything – and there has to be a first time for any human endeavour.
So, two years away from now – specifically in 2023, Ghana will for the first time have the opportunity of hosting the quadrennial games (African Games).
It is worthy to note that the maiden Games were held in 1965 in Brazzaville, Congo.
For a country that had for ages been a strong advocate for African unity and indeed championed the fight for the decolonization of the continent, it is really astonishing to many that Ghana (first country south of the Sahara to gain independence), has not had the opportunity of hosting the prestigious Games.
Heartily, in two years’ time, the continental sporting showcase is “coming home.”
The 13th edition of the African Games is expected to be held in three cities in the country on dates yet to be determined.
For the second time in history of the Games, the showpiece would be decentralised in a process that started in the previous edition held in Morocco.
As such, three Ghanaian cities (Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast) have been chosen for these functions.
Already, a land has been secured at Bortyeman in the Greater Accra Region to construct the necessary facilities for the Games and the procurement process to engage the contractor has been completed.
The facilities to be constructed include a 50,000 capacity Olympic Stadium complex, multi-purpose sports halls for all indoor sports, aquatic centres for swimming and tennis courts.
This is the third year (October 2018), Ghana got the nod to host the Games, but one must admit that preparations appear all-too slow for a multi-sport event that is expecting more than 5,000 athletes from over 50 countries.
As the sports ministry itself has said, the Games will be a unique opportunity to rewrite the scripts of the country’s sports for the next century and things have to be sped up to be able to meet supposedly early deadlines to the benefit of the nation.
For that matter, no efforts should be spared to make the event a grand success as the eyes of the continent is expected to be fixed irrevocably on us – aware that anything associated with Ghana is of sterling quality. We do not have to disappoint the world.
Indeed, the benefits of staging such Games are incalculably great as we are told by Minister of Youth and Sports Isaac Asiamah, that the Olympic stadium is poised to become a National Centre of Excellence for Sports Development. According to the Minister, already, a sustainability plan that will last for generations has been put in place to convert the facility into a University of Sports Development after the Games; so it does not lie idle and waste away.
It sounds pretty sparkling as experience has shown in a number of African countries that such huge facilities virtually go waste after the Games and we need to take a leaf from that to ensure that we put ours into a proper, sustained use.
For now, it is high time we worked our tail off to guarantee a successful organisation and host of the Games.
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
THE Ghana Premier League (GPL) enters another exciting weekend with Asante Kotoko and Medeama SC set for a crucial showdown while Accra Hearts of Oak seek to strengthen their title challenge and FC AshantiGold 04 begin life after the departure of Coach Abdul Karim Zito.
The Matchday 9 fixtures, scheduled for today and tomorrow, promise another round of compelling contests as clubs battle for early season supremacy, continental ambitions and stability.
The headline fixture is the meeting between the Porcupine Warriors and the Mauve and Yellow at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium tomorrow where both sides will be eager to make a statement.
Kotoko will have the advantage of home support but the Tarkwa-based side are expected to provide a stern test for the Porcupine Warriors.
The Kumasi giants have endured an inconsistent opening to the campaign, with their recent results highlighting the need for greater consistency if they are to mount a serious title challenge.
Their 1-1 draw with FC AshantiGold 04 in the previous fixture underlined the difficulties they have faced in turning competitive performances into maximum points.
Against Medeama, the Reds must combine defensive discipline with greater attacking efficiency. Playing before their home supporters could provide the necessary lift, but they would need to avoid giving the visitors opportunities to exploit any defensive lapses.
Medeama, meanwhile, will travel to Kumasi determined to demonstrate why they are among the teams expected to challenge for the title.
For both clubs, victory would offer more than three points. It would provide an important psychological boost and strengthen their position in an increasingly competitive title race.
Hearts of Oak will also be among the teams attracting considerable attention as they travel to face Debibi United tomorrow.
The Phobians have made encouraging progress in recent weeks, with their defensive solidity and growing confidence giving supporters reasons to believe that a sustained title challenge is possible.
Their 1-0 victory over Basake Holy Stars, secured through Martin Karikari’s late strike, strengthened their position at the summit of the league after eight matches. The result also extended their winning run to three matches.
However, maintaining that momentum away from home will be another test of their credentials.
Debibi United will be determined to frustrate the visitors and use home advantage to their benefit.
Hearts must, therefore, approach the encounter with patience and discipline, particularly if their opponents adopt a compact defensive approach.
With the standings still capable of changing significantly at this early stage, maximum points could help Hearts consolidate their position at the top or reclaim it, depending on the results of their closest challengers.
Another major talking point is the decision by FC AshantiGold 04 to part ways with Head Coach and Technical Director, Abdul Karim Zito, Assistant Coach Ernest Okyere, and goalkeepers’ trainer, Robert Dabo.
The development comes as AshantiGold prepare to visit Swedru All Blacks tomorrow, presenting an immediate test for the club’s caretaker technical team.
The question is whether the coaching changes will produce the desired reaction or further unsettle a side still searching for consistency.
Swedru All Blacks, who will enjoy home advantage, will be keen to capitalise on any disruption within the visitors’ camp.
Elsewhere, Aduana FC would host Berekum Chelsea in a potentially tight contest, while Basake Holy Stars welcome Dreams FC.
Heart of Lions will face Bechem United, and Samartex take on Bibiani Gold Stars in another intriguing fixture. Vision FC will meet Port City today, while Young Apostles host Karela United tomorrow.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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THE 24th edition of the Accra Seniors Tennis Open Championship, organised by the Accra Lawn Tennis Club, is scheduled to take place from Monday, November 23 to Saturday, December 5, 2026, organisers have announced.
Consequently, registration for the tournament has opened, offering professional and amateur players an opportunity to participate in the competition that assembles the best of the aged in the tennis fraternity.
Registration will close on Friday, November 20, 2026, with the draw and viewing for the competition scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026 and Sunday, November 22, 2026, respectively.
Entry fees have been pegged at GH¢150 for the singles event and GH¢200 for the doubles event.
Matches will be played on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The competition will feature various categories, including ladies’ singles, men’s singles, ladies’ doubles, men’s doubles, advanced social singles and doubles, as well as mixed doubles.
In the ladies’ singles event, players will compete in different age categories, including those aged up to 39 years.
The men’s singles event will feature players in the 25–34, 35–44 and 55–64 age categories.
For the ladies’ doubles event, participants will compete in the under-40 and 40-and-above categories, while the men’s doubles event will feature players aged 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–69 and 70 years and above.
The advanced social singles and doubles categories, for both men and women, are designed for high-level amateur players seeking competitive matches outside the demands of professional and semi-professional circuits.
The mixed doubles event will also provide an opportunity for players to compete in combined male and female pairings.
The tournament is expected to attract players of different ages and skill levels, with spectators anticipated to witness exciting displays of skill, technique and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
By Benjamin Arcton-Tettey
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