Sports
When EPL turns into ‘Billionaires Club’
The English Premier League (EPL) threatens to see more competition and attraction from another emerging force backed by another “Arab Money” gradually marking the turn of the teams in the League into “Billionaires’ Club.”
Before the turn of the millennium, now well-known clubs including Chelsea and Manchester City were considered underdogs in every Premier League campaign. Their classification as one of the biggest clubs in England became evident due to their takeover by billionaires.
The emergence of billionaires in the league over the past decade has grounded the complete dominance of heavyweights such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Chelsea and Manchester City have become testaments that big money produces trophies; following the propose takeover of Newcastle United by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, the English topflight campaign will be expected to see at least six clubs (Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs, and Newcastle United) competing for the title with lot of respect to other clubs.
Chelsea
The owner of the Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003 for 140 million pounds from Kent Bates, and immediately invested over two billion pounds into club.
The success revolution began in 2005 when Chelsea its first premier league during Abramovich’s era.
They would go to win 16 major trophies in the past 17 years making them the most successful in England since the Russian’s take over. The Stamford Bridge has celebrated the following titles in quantum; 1 Champions League, a pair of Europa League, 5 EPL, 5 FA Cups, and 3 League Cups. The club has attracted fine stars including Didier Drogba, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Petr Cech, Eden Hazard, Glen Johnson, Hernan Crespo, Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Essien, Ashley Cole, etc as well as top managers in the world of football including; Jose Mourinho, Carlo Anceloti, Antonio Conte, Filipe Scolari, Roberto Di Mateo (won the UCL), and Maurizio Sarri.
Manchester City
Another scenario of the movement of the “Billionnaires Club” empire in the EPL is the emergence the Arab billionaire from Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan in 2008. He took over City Football Group of which Manchester City is a part for a whooping 265 million pounds from then owner Thaksin Shinawatra. According to reports from The Sun Sport in February this year, the Etihad owner has forked 1.5 billion pounds worth of investment over the past decade.
Though the Club has never tasted glories in Europe, they have become a buttress root in the English topflight and other domestic trophies. Their 10 trophies haul including last season’s domestic treble during the Mansour era include; 4 EPL, 2 FA Cups, and 4 League Cups.
The Etihad Stadium has welcomed great players such as; Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Joe Hart, Robinho, Carlos Tevez, Eden Dzeko, Vincent Kompany, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Kevin De Bryne. The best of managers including current coach Pep Guardiola, Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini, and Mark Hughes have been at the helm of affairs.
Newcastle United
Following the proposed 80 per cent shares takeover of the St. James Park by the PCP Capital partners backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Aradia, the EPL as well as Newcastle United fans are preparing to welcome a new owner.
The PIF headed by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman is expected to pay a mammoth 300 million pounds to current owner, Mike Ashley to complete the takeover. The PIF is reported to be worth 260 billion pounds.
Albeit, drawing references from Chelsea and Manchester City who also have billionaires investing in them, many Newcastle United fans are very excited and optimistic that they will become a force to reckon with due to the investment expected to be made by the Deputy Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.
The investment is expected to translate into several trophies in the year to come for the St. James Park that has not tasted any trophies for the past two decades and over. It is imperative to note that Newcastle United will have the richest club in the EPL as well as in Europe.
BY BENEDICTA NUAMAH TAKYI
Sports
Armwrestling: Immigration, Prisons meet African champions
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and Ghana Prisons Service (GPS) in separate ceremonies have welcomed officers of both security institutions who recently returned from Abuja, Nigeria after participating in the 14th Africa Armwrestling Championship.
The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mr. Patience Baffoe Bonnie, and the leadership of the Service, were present to congratulate the champions, Daniel Acquah (four gold medals), Mabel Yeboah (four gold medals) and Henry Otoo (two silver, two bronze), on their impressive performances.
The champions presented their medals to the Director-General, and shared their experiences and insights with the top officials.
During the meeting, the Director-General of the GPS, Mrs Baffoe Bonnie, expressed her excitement about the potential benefits of sports for inmates.
She noted that sports could play a significant role in rehabilitation and pledged to support the development of armwrestling within the prisons service.
In a related development, the Comptroller-General of the GIS, CGI Samuel Basintale, commended his members – Edward Yamoah Asamoah (two gold medals), Blessed Abeka Nunoo (one gold, one silver, two bronze), Godwin Sackey (one gold, one silver) and referee Nii Otoo Larkyne, for the feat.
Mr Basintale promised to provide support for the development of armwrestling within the service, including training facilities, equipment, and sponsorship.
The African Armwrestling champions from the security services won a total of 20 medals out of Ghana’s 55 medal haul.
They expressed gratitude and promised to continue promoting the sport and inspiring others to take up armwrestling.
Mr Charles Osei Asibey, President for Ghana Armwrestling Federation, was thrilled by the promise and continuous collaborations and support for the development of armwrestling in Ghana by the security services.
—GNA
Sports
TTU to honour athletes at 2nd sports awards night
Takoradi Technical University (TTU) will tonight host its 2nd Sports Awards Night to honour outstanding athletes, teams, and contributors who have promoted the institution’s sporting reputation.
The event, which will take place at the Nicholas Aidoo Taylor Auditorium, will be chaired by Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, with Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, as Guest of Honour.
Other dignitaries expected include Member of Parliament for Effia, Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, and Municipal Chief Executive for Effia-Kwesimintsim, Abdul Majeed Dokurgu.
TTU said the awards will celebrate a year marked by exceptional performances, record-breaking moments, and contributions that have boosted both the competitive spirit and institutional pride of the university.
The ceremony will be held under the theme, “Recognising Excellence in Scholarship and Sportsmanship.”
The university noted that it has become a powerhouse in university sports, winning back-to-back championships at the GHATUSA Games in Tamale and Cape Coast.
It attributed the success to integrating sports into academic life, introducing sports scholarships, building the TTU Sports Complex, providing strategic funding, and offering strong logistical support.
Director of Public Affairs and Secretary to the Sports and Recreation Committee, Joseph Mensah Oti-Asirifi, said the awards go beyond recognising individual winners, adding that they are also a tribute to the discipline, resilience, and unity that define TTU’s sporting culture.
He stated that every nominee is a champion whose efforts have brought pride to the university and enhanced its reputation on both national and continental stages.
The programme will feature two segments of award presentations, with categories covering football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, tennis, handball, badminton, athletics, scrabble, and taekwondo, for both male and female divisions.
Nominees include Jane Membong in athletics, Hajara Ibrahim in basketball, Samuel Aidoo in football, and Prince Egyir in handball, as well as Papa Kwansa Baidoo, Prince Davies, and Ahmed Anas Salis.
Special awards will also be presented to individuals whose contributions have inspired the TTU community beyond the field of competition.
Chairman of the Sports and Recreation Committee, Joseph Danso, said the planning team has worked to ensure the event captures the spirit of sportsmanship, dedication, and unity that characterise TTU sports.
The university recalled that the inaugural edition honoured Raymond French, Sarah Quansah, and Rebecca Mba, setting a high standard for sporting recognition.
By: Jacob Aggrey
