Sports
Oly, Hearts clash in ‘Ga Mashie’ derby
The much-heralded cracker, dubbed the ‘Ga Mashie derby’ between Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics will be waged this evening (kick off 6pm) at the Accra Sports Stadium.
It was a jamboree for Hearts last year when the two teams clashed with the Phobians running away with a 4-0 thumping of their sworn rivals in the truncated season.
Benjamin Afutu’s double, Daniel Barnieh and Joseph Esso’s efforts were enough for the Phobians to grab the bragging rights; a result Hearts will be eager to play against a very solid Olympics side.
New Oly gaffer Yaw Preko will be in search of his second win since he took over from Annor Walker as he seeks to halt the Phobians. With both sides recording a point each from their last encounter, a win for Hearts could secure the first position, while victory for the ‘Dade’ boys assures them of a second position on the log.
With no news concerning injuries, the individual brilliance of Oly’s skipper Gladson Awako could come to play while youngster Hearts’ Manaf Umar would hope to pull the strings for Coach Kosta Papic.
The tricky moments continue tomorrow where Asante Kotoko travel to lock horns with Ashantigold SC in the ‘Ashanti derby’ at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium on a Sunday afternoon. The last meeting between both sides ended in a 0-0 stalemate at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. This time around, the Porcupine Warriors will make a two-hour trip to the mining town to face Ashgold in a very cagey game. Both teams picked up defeats in their previous game and will be hoping to make amends.
Kotoko will be elated with the comeback of Mudashiru Salifu in midfield and forward Osman Ibrahim could make a return to the team as interim coach Johnson Smith is positive ahead of their clash.
Top scorer Hans Kwofie, who missed out in their defeat to Legon Cities last weekend, will be available for the Miners. A win for any side could push them to top spot as they both boast of 16 points each.
In other fixtures, languishing King Faisal will host Berekum City at the Ohene Ameyaw today at 3pm.
It will be a battle of survival tomorrow at the Accra Sports Stadium when Inter Allies square off with Legon Cities, while WAFA welcome struggling Liberty Professionals to the Sogakope Red Bull Arena with Dreams FC traveling to face Elmina Sharks at the Nduom Park at 3pm.
Table-toppers Karela United will host Medeama SC at the Anyinase Park at 3pm with Aduana Stars hosting Ebusua Dwarfs at the Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa.
As of press time, title favourites Bechem United were squaring off with Eleven Wonders at the Bechem park.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
The four-day international tennis championship between the Accra Lawn Tennis Club of Ghana and Ikoyi Sports Club of Nigeria is set to reach its climax tomorrow at the Accra Lawn Tennis Courts (ALTC) in Accra.
According to the organisers, tomorrow would witness high profile matches with a lot at stake as both clubs aim to unsettle each other to enhance the rivalry between the two nations.
The event is an annual arrangement between the two clubs that sees the championship rotated among them.
The team representing Ghana includes Thomas Amoako Boafo, Issek Antwi-Agyei, Dr Abraham Oppong Adjei and Palm Nii Okine for the 40+ years’ division.
The trio of Dr Bankah, Abeiku Bentsi and Ekow Arthur will be in contention for the 50 years plus group while the pairs of Dr Maxwell Adjei and Edmund Nii Botchway, Frederick Van De Vyer and David Carreras and Nicholas Kumadey and Palm Nii Okine feature against the Nigerians in the Doubles championship.
In the Men’s division, the onus would be on Chris Hammond, Kweku Amakye, Nana Dr Kofi Boakye, Chris Tagoe, Dr Henry Holdbrook-Smith, Nick Akpebu, Brian Benneh and Michele Nemesi to make the ALTC proud.
The women for the Ladies competition are Kate Coleman, Fatiha Menzel, Naa Ofoli, Wendy Quartey, Wanda Quartey and Kuukua Bartels-Kodwo.
Veteran player, Peter Annan, will be the Acting Captain of Team Ghana and would be ably assisted by Lawrence Lartey.
Expected to lead the ALTC is Dr Maxwell Adjei, who is the newly elected Chairman of the club. He is also the Head of Dental at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital).
Mr Peter Annan, the Acting Captain of ALTC, told The Spectator that as part of the arrangement for the international friendly, a special tour was organised for members of Team Ikoyi.
He was confident that as the host club, ALTC will prevail as winners of this year’s edition which ends tomorrow.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
The Street Academy’s annual health walk has been postponed.
The event, the 26th edition, was initially slated for today but was postponed due to the two-day cleaning exercise instituted by President John Dramani Mahama.
This year’s edition is on the theme: ‘Feet on the Street, Hope in Motion.’
According to the organisers, the event would be held on August 1 with all protocols intact.
Dr Ataa Lartey, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, told The Spectator that the walk which was expected to be joined by a few dignitaries will start at the Accra Art Centre.
From there, it would proceed through the principal streets of Accra to James Town and return to the starting point.
The event aims to raise awareness about the plight of needy and underprivileged children, promote healthy living, and advocate the importance of basic education.
According to Dr Lartey, the walk will feature a range of activities, including a brisk group walk, mass aerobics, free health screening, and entertainment for children.
By Spectator Sports Reporter
