Sports
Zito: Dreams FC feat must inspire smaller clubs
Karim Zito
Accra Hearts of Oak will look to put their league title aspirations back on track when they take on Bibiani Gold Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow in a top match-day 24 fixture of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).
The Phobians went on an eight-match unbeaten run in the league but suffered a blip in their last game against league leaders Samartex FC who grounded that run with a 2-1.
But Coach Aboubakar Ouattara believes the only way to respond to that defeat is to pick all three points tomorrow.
Gold Stars have not been lucky at the Accra Sports Stadium, losing all their previous games against the Phobians. This remains a huge inspiration for the Phobians going into the game tomorrow.
However, they would be playing under the instructions of Coach Frimpong Manso who defeated Hearts while with Bofoakwa Tano. That also presents an inspiration for the visitors, knowing that they have a trainer who knows his way around their guests.
League leaders Samartex FC will look to maintain their hold on the championship when they host defending champions Medeama SC at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena.
Samartex will be chasing their first win over the champions in the league after losing the first-round tie 1-0.
Medeama managed to hold the Timber giants to a goalless draw at the same venue last season, however with their form, it remains to be seen how they can stop the host from grabbing all three points.
Aduana Stars hope to return to winning ways when they host Real Tamale United at their favourite Nana Agyemang Badu Park, in Dormaa.
Coming into this game without a Head Coach, the task of beating Aduana Stars away looks daunting for the Tamale lads especially after their host suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Great Olympics in their last game in Accra.
In other games, Asante Kotoko will trek to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem with the hope of picking their first point from their last four games; Accra Lions welcome Bofoakwa Tano to the Accra Sports Stadium; Nsoatreman FC will host Berekum Chelsea at the Nana Amoah Koronmasah II park in Nsoatre while Karela United face Heart of Lions at the Naa Sheriga Sports Complex in Nalerigu.
The game between Dreams FC and Legon Cities scheduled for the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu has been postponed to allow Dreams FC have their CAF Confederation Cup second leg quarter-final game against Stade Malien at the Baba Yara Stadium, tomorrow.
By Raymond Ackumey
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
