Sports
Time to stop the GAA, Martha Bissah war
There is an end to everything. There is an end to every war. Indeed, nothing in this world lasts forever.
That, perhaps, is the reason why in moments of war or antagonism, there is always a window of opening to smoking the peace pipe.
Thus, after about six years of a battling disaffection and rancour, the stand-off between the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) and the nation’s junior Olympic gold medalist – Martha Bissah, must be brought to an amicable end.
Martha, then 17, was placed on ice by the GAA for what it termed gross insubordination and indiscipline – claims the now 23-year-old US-based Ghanaian athlete decisively padded away – insisting she was victimised for speaking against the system.
Her ban came on the heels of the 11th All Africa Games in 2015, having a year earlier picked gold (nation’s only) in the 800m event at the Summer Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.
That phenomenal performance was copiously hailed globally, and also got President John Mahama celebrating that momentous feat with a GH¢10,000 gift to the young heroine.
Ghana was once again in the spotlight for the right reasons.
Unfortunately, what was expected to instantly sparkle up Martha’s career, almost turned into a nightmarish ‘golden curse’ as the GAA indefinite suspension detonated with a big boom!
It came as complete stunner to many.
Mentally tattered and fatally distraught, Martha thought about hanging her spikes prematurely at age 18. A potentially magnificent career was about to be cut off and hurled into the bin.
Luckily, there was a divine intervention with the emergence of Ambassador George Haldane Lutterodt, a former GAA boss – who together with former national athlete – Kwaku Nimako, managed to secure scholarship for the poor girl at the Norfolk State University (NSU).
Indeed, since her arrival in the US, Martha has mushroomed into a phenomenal package, clinching hordes of laurels including being voted the 2018 NSU Female Athlete of the Year.
But for the GAA, her buoyant performances and professional glamour meant nothing to trigger a reversal of the ban – unless she apologises and pleads for clemency.
But Martha insisted she had done no wrong and could not apologise for a sin she did not commit.
Question is, for how long would this hostility continue? Can we as a nation not find an end to this all this while?
Shame unto us all!
Two years ago, the immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Kwame Asiamah, decided to step into the ‘fray’ after Martha’s consistent prodding, and directed the Prof. Francis Dodoo-led GAA to resolve the issue to enable the athlete compete for Ghana again. Sadly, nothing was done about the situation, the GAA jealously but doggedly sticking to its gun.
Most definitely, it is against this saturnine backdrop that Ambassador Lutterodt is urging retained GOC President Ben Nunoo Mensah, to stick out a finger into the long-running imbroglio and resolve it once and for all.
It a big shame on all of us – especially the authorities, to have allowed this issue to run for six solid years without finding a lasting panacea. What kind of people are we? Are we dealing with a murder case involving the poor, naive Martha?
It costs the earth; it costs an arm and a leg to continue to allow this issue to persist. It would be too expensive to bear and we shall look back biting our fingers off years later by failing to bring finality to this matter.
The entire thing is now getting messier – and it is like watching sausage getting made.
The two main feuding parties (GAA and Martha Bissah) and all affiliates must sit down, grin and bear it in the supreme interest of Ghana sports!
This ridiculous ‘war’ must stop! It is not fun and does not make sense any longer.
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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