Sports
US-based Ghanaian teen boxer supports surgery of little girl
THIRTEEN-year-old juvenile boxer Joseph Awinongya Jnr has pledged to support young Paulina Anokye to undergo spinal surgery.
The US-based young pugilist, Awinongya Jnr, who is also a philanthropist would financially support Anokye to undergo surgery to remove a spinal tumor which had affected her mobility and eventually thrown her into paralysis.
Little Anokye, a native of Kwadaso in Ashanti region, was diagnosed with spinal tumor at age four when she started experiencing immobility in her left fingers.
Anokye, due to lack of finance to correct the defect, has resorted to herbal treatment which further deteriorated her condition affecting her right arm and both legs, rendering her paralysed.
Awinongya Jnr, also known as Jojo saw the deteriorating condition of the little girl on YouTube on and with the help of his Dad, Joseph Awinongya Snr, has decided to reach out and support.
“I showed the video to my dad and he asked me to choose between getting a Play Station 5 which I so much desire to have and supporting Paulina with the funds. I chose to help Paulina and forget about the Play Station because her condition gradually is killing her because of money,” Awinongya Jnr stated.
Jojo would pay for her medical assistance fees and give an undisclosed amount for her up-keep for four months after her surgery at the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where she has been booked for surgery on today.
Jojo also appealed to the general public here in Ghana and in America to support Paulina financially to enable her go through the surgery and her recovery process successfully .
He expressed appreciation to Jim Muisenga General Manager of Hawk Chevrolet of Joliet, Secretary of State Illinois Jesse White, Roger C. Claar the Mayor of Bolingbrook, Lori Lightfoot Mayor of Chicago, Joliet Mayor Bob O’ Dekirk,Isaac Agyapong Ansere MBA, CPA, Real Estate Broker and Emmanuel Hatzi X’s & Os Sports Bar for their support with his projects and development as a boxer.
As part of their support to nuture young talents in the country,Awinongya Snr is working to invite another amazing juvenile boxer Hakeem Nii Nortey Lokko, who is also trained by his father Carl Lokko (Owner and headcoach of Bronx Boxing Club and Technical Director of the Ghana Boxing Authority) to Chicago to exchange boxing lessons and to be part of Jojo’s his ongoing documentary.
Jojo, who is currently rated number one and two in the 90lbs and 95lbs divisions in America, has won almost all competitions he has participated. He has shown superb exhibition of boxing artistry, rare display of boxing IQ, academic excellence and has become the toast of many in Ghana and Chicago where he lives with his family.
BY MICHAEL D.ABAYATEYE
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
