Article: Welcome Tema Youth and Bechem United

I write to add my voice to the victory qualification of premiership returnees Tema Youth and new entrants Bechem United into the elite league next season.

Two seasons after being relegated, Tema Youth defile all odds to topflight following an annihilating 4-1 win against D’ International in Sekondi in the Zone 3 of the middle league.

Interestingly, after a long spell at the Poly tank division one league, Bechem United looks poised for the 2011/2012 season after beating Guan FC 2-0 at the Tema artificial turf.

Both teams have proven that, the division one league clubs are forces to be reckoned with if given any chance to compete.

Undoubtedly, the likes of Berekum Chelsea official crowned 2010/2011 Glo Premier League Champions and dethroned league champions Aduana Stars have shown their prowess in the seasons so far.

However, if not anything at all, the managements of both Tema Youth and Bechem United should tread the course of their predecessors (Aduana and Berekum Chelsea) in order to have a good run for their money next season.

I wish them a better stay in the topflight and best of luck to all the clubs from division one next time.

Ebenezer Zor

Accra.

LAST STRAW FOR STRUGGLING FOUR.

By Ebenezer Zor

Source : Sporting Times

With Real Tamale United (RTU) and BA Stars already relegated to the second tier of Ghana Football, as many as five cubs will battle to survive the remaining relegation slot in the final round of the 2010/2011 Glo Premier League season.

Wa All Stars, Berekum Arsenals, Mighty Jets, King Faisal, as well as Ashanti Gold currently languish in the relegation zone and a loss by any of these teams in the 30^th Week fixture will head them straight to the Division one league.

Ash Gold, who suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Dwarfs, will play host to already crowned league champions, Berekum Chelsea at the Len Clay Stadium in a very crunchy duel. A win for Chelsea will be disastrous for the “miners”.

Refreshing Liberty Professionals, after thumping Asante Kotoko by 3-2 in their own backyard at the Bara Yara Stadium last Sunday will welcome Kwesi Nyantakyi’s club, Wa All Stars, at the Carl Reindorf Park in Dansoman.

A loss to All Stars may not pose any severe threat to the scientific soccer lads but a loss to Liberty could spell doom for the All Stars.

Alhaji Grusah’s King Faisal will come to face with Accra Hearts of Oak at the Bara Yara Stadium in a match predicted as the top fixture of the Week. Hearts will need nothing but a win to keep their hopes of participating in the prestigious Top 4 competition alive.

However, a loss by King Faisal will be suicidal for them since they currently occupy the third relegation slot on the league table. Both teams lost their previous league matches and will go all out to turn the clock around.

Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs will travel to the Akosombo Stadium to play as visitors to Tudu Mighty Jets in another show piece. A win for Dwarfs will bid farewell to the Tudu boys from the elite division of football in the country.

At the Berekum Golden City Park, the Berekum Arsenal will battle it out with New Edubiase. The Gunners will need a win at all cost since a loss to New Edubiase could sink them to the relegation zone.

Already relegated sides, RTU will host dethroned league champions, Aduana Stars, at the Tamale Stadium while BA Stars travels to the den of lions to play as visitors to Kpando Hearts of Lions.

With the top four competitions and a CAF confederation slot up for grasp next season, the Porcupine Warriors will travel to the Tarkwa Park to test their strength against second place on the league table and tactically disciplined Bashiru Hayford’s side, Medeama SC in match which promises to be fireworks.

 A win over Kotoko, will end the dream for the top four competitions while a loss by Medeama will dash their dreams of participating in the CAF confederation cup for the first time.

Lamptey seeks revenge

Junior Walaga Promotions in collaboration with the Ghana Boxing Authority will stage its next promotion at Lebanon House on June 18, 2011.

The event will witness two national and a Commonwealth light middleweight championship involving Ghanaian boxers.

The main bout on the bill will see Obodai Sai, known among his fans as “The Miracle” exchanging punches with Joseph Lamptey for the Commonwealth light middleweight strap.

Sai comes into the fight with a record of 14 wins without a blemish as compared to that of Lamptey, who has fought 14 times, with 10 ending through the short rout and three losses and a draw.

Lamptey's losses includes a unanimous decision defeat to Sai when they clashed for the national title nearly two years and is remains very ambitious to avenge that painful defeat.

But Sai has intimated that the June 18 clash will only offer him the opportunity to establish his dominance and superiority over Lamptey.

Isaac Selom will square it up with Ishmael Tetteh for the national middleweight title.

Both pugilists will come into the fight with a record of 14 wins, four losses, one draw for Selom and 24 wins, six losses, two draws for Ishmael respectively.

In another fierce contest, Razak Nettey and Herbert Quartey will test their strength for the national super bantamweight title. Quartey alias “sensational” boast of a record of 13 fights with four wins by way of knockouts, six losses and drawn none against six fights, two by way of knockouts and a draw for Nettey.

The opponents for Samuel Kotey Neequaye and Osumanu Akaba for the Lightweight and Super featherweight contest will be announced later.

By Ebenezer Zor

Source: Ghanaian Times.

Netball contest marks AU day.

The Greater Accra Regional Netball Association in conjunction with the Dangme West District on Wednesday organized the first netball tournament in Dodowa to mark the African Union (AU) day.


The tournament dubbed: " Africa Freedom Day" was to unearth young talents for the national netball ladies team.


Asafoatse Boadi VI, in his speech address before the commencement of the competition urged all the participating teams to give out their best and show good sportsmanship on the field of play.


Participating teams were Fair point ladies club of Kpone-on-sea, Prampram complex stars of Kaneshie-Accra, the Greater Accra Stars and Greater Complex stars.


In all play all competition, Greater Accra Stars emerged us winners of the first edition of this tournament, netted 98 goals to surpass second position Fair point ladies to clinch the penultimate- a trophy and a cash prize.


Elsewhere, Prampram ladies were presented with a cash prize for occupying the third position with 24 nets while Greater Complex Stars took the fourth place with 9 nets in all.


Bernice Taylor and Larnuel Veronica both from the Greater Accra Stars were adjudged the best players of the tournament.


Reverend E.D. Niikoi, president of the Netball Association of Ghana (NAG), in an interview with Times Sports said: "The tournament was organized to inculcate into all and sundry the  essence of Africa Union (AU),  make young ladies develop  interest in netball and to revive the sport as well".


He explained that, netball has not received much attention as compared to other sporting disciplines, adding that "It is about time to revamp netball in the country".


Reverend Niikoi announced that Ghana will host a netball competition starting from the 10-16 of July and the All African Games (AAG) starting form the 3-15 of September in Maputo, Mozambique this year.
 
Mr. Niikoi, appealed to the Dangme West District to make the tournament permanent in Dodowa and that same vein called for support from corporate bodies to salvage netball in the country.


"We need massive support from government and other sports stakeholders to run a netball league system in the country" he added.


Among the personalities present at the occasion were the umpires- Augustina Fugah of Sege Senior High Technical School, Fred Kporha of Accra, Eugene Tetteh of Amasaman, Felix Ocran of Kpone-on-sea, Esther Worname of Ga East G.E.S , Mr Samuel Owusu Anhwere, Mr. Nieo Dzah and Kofi Asamoah Acheampong, deputy Technical Director of the Netball Association Of Ghana, Accra.


Story by Ebenezer Zor & Matilda Emefa Avudoahor

Source: Ghanaian Times 

Kwabena Yeboah: Time to call Hayatou’s bluff

CAF President, Hayatou

I find it shocking that at a time the world is getting sick and tired of tyrannical rule, CAF President Alhjaj Issa Hayatou believes the way forward is arbitrariness and despotism.

Will somebody remind Hayatou of the fate of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt who ruled with absolutism and literally terrorized their own people for three decades. Oh yes, the sheer power of the masses blew them into smithereens at the right time.

“Big Daddy” brother Gaddafi is only buying time in Libya. The human nature simply abhors tyranny and absolutism, the reason our own Jerry John Rawlings’ influence is beginning to wane in his “own” National Democratic Congress (NDC). The fact that personalities Rawlings “nurtured” and “nourished” today openly reject him and treat him so disdainfully only teaches us the days of tyrants are always numbered.

Does Hayatou get this? Why on earth would the CAF President believe he has the authority to disband the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) because as he put it the “sub-region is facing organizational issues”.

The CAF boss spearheaded the move at a meeting in Cairo last Monday, sparking speculations the attempt is aimed at weakening WAFU’s growing influence in the political context of Africa football.

With allies Amos Adamu and Anjorin Moucharafou booted out of the WAFU hierarchy, Hayatou finds it most appropriate to disband WAFU. Perhaps also to teach Kwesi Nyantakyi the interim President of WAFU who is not particularly a “favoured boy” the true colour of power.

By Hayatou’s directive, West Africa has now been zoned into two – Western Zone A and Western Zone B. Zone A encompasses Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

Zone B is made up of Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso.

Clearly, this makes little sense and decisively defeats the very essence of the Union envisaged by the founding fathers.

When former Presidents Gnassigbe Eyadema and Houphouet Boigny of Togo and Ivory Coast respectively (may their souls find favour with the Good Lord) spearheaded the formation of WAFU, the idea was to foster unity in the West Africa sub-region through the massive influence of football.

Lack of sound leadership and a perilous financial situation viciously conspired to weaken WAFU. Today, every possible step is being taken to revive the sleeping giant. The way forward is not to unnerve and enfeeble the Association by disbanding it and creating two separate fronts. This logic is clearly twisted.

The African Union (formerly the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) has always been confronted with debilitating problems. It would have been extremely weird and illogical to divide the Union’s front because of so-called “organizational problems” as Hayatou puts it. The intelligent thing to do is to identify these “organizational weaknesses” for an appropriate resolution. To disband WAFU as Hayatou has done is to insult the intelligence and vision of the Political fathers of the West Africa sub-region.

I’m not surprised the Ministers of Benin and Togo, Modeste Kerekou and Ajay Maken have decided to convene an urgent meeting of all Sports Ministers in the sub-region to address the issue and call Hayatou’s bluff.

I am also gladdened by the fact that the leadership of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA) has issued a statement urging all to allow zonal bodies to operate as they exist. Will Hayatou and his henchmen listen?

Hayatou’s days are clearly numbered and like a drowning man will catch a straw. It’s in the supreme interest of this ageing tyrant to remind himself of the fate of all the despots in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Syria and Libya.

Don’t overstretch your luck, Hayatou.

Source: Kwabena Yeboah, Africa Sports

Stars dazzle in AU peace match

Michael Essien and his Chelsea team mate Ashley Cole enjoying every bit of the match

The Ohene Djan Sports Stadium Wednesday was turned into a great Cathedral of football as legends descended from around the World to celebrate peace and unity in Africa through football.

It was indeed an electric atmosphere, as Ghana and Chelsea’s Michael Essien, AU Ambassador for Peace, led an array of African Stars - past and present - against an Ashley Cole led World 11 to serve a delectable display of football artistry.

Not even the profound openings from heaven which poured forth its rain could stop the party; fans in their thousands filled the stadium to raptures; cheered at every skill, clapped at every turn and mobbed the Stars present.

Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor, Asamoah Gyan, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Kalusha Bwalya, John Paintsil, Stephen Appiah, Tony Yeboah only to mention but a few stood tall for the African side, whilst Chelsea duo of Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda as well as Quincy Owusu Abeyie, Nigel DeYong and Frederick Ljunberg were impregnable for the World 11 side.

Akin to most charity games, Wednesday’s match was played in an atmosphere of conviviality and recorded a 4-2 score line in favour of World 11.

Kalusha Bwalya, who has lost his speed but definitely not his skill put the noses of the Africans in front early in the first half with a well placed header from a John Paintsil cross on the right.

Didier Drogba who came on in the second half put his name on the scoring sheet with a close range effort.

Malouda, Ashley Cole, Stock Smith, were the scorers for the World 11.

But really, the score line was not that important; the skill and effort by the World and African legends who defied the heavy rains and played in the soggy pitch was what actually underlined their commitment to the cause for peace, human dignity and prosperity to people in the African continent.

Buoyed by musical displays and excellent dance moves from Asamoah Gyan, Samini, Castro the stadium was turned into a carnival atmosphere as fans sang and danced the day away in absolute frenzy.

The players were presented with medallions at the end of the fun filled campaign as Essien lifted aloft the African flame to signify unity on the continent.

The game was witnessed by Youth and Sports Minister Kofi Humadu and former Tourism Minister Mike Gizo.

Former World player of the year Oppong Weah was the coach of the African 11 side whilst Marcel Dessaily coached the World 11 side.


Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

Hayatou must protect his integrity

Issah Hayatou, CAF  President

It is a disgrace to hear that the head of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) with other executives has been labelled with bribery and corruption.

When I read from the newspapers that the president of CAF Issah Hayatou with other executives has been bribed with huge sum of money just to support Qatar ’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup, i wondered what the world would say about Africa ?

This is a serious issue which needs to be investigated and not be allowed to die prematurely.

Issah Hayatou being in office since 1988 has contributed a lot to the development of Africa football over the years.

Under his watch, we saw some African countries win the Under-17 Championship, the World Under-20 championship staged in Egypt in 2009 and the 2010 World Cup being held on Africa soil where Ghana progressed to the quarter final stage of that competition.

However if the allegations labelled against him is true, I will advice that as matter of urgency he should immediately resign to prevent any further probe into mismanagement and misappropriate of funds from CAF.

Come to think of it he and his compatriots have brought shame to Africa football. This shows that, it is about time fresh pair of hands regulate the activities of CAF.

In my own perspective, Hayatou should not make himself available to contest for a re-election into office.

Author: Ebenezer Zor

Source: Graphic Sports

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF A BAD FRIEND

Who is a bad friend?

A bad friend is a person or someone who does not know you well, dislike you, and not a member of your family.

Many a time we socialize with people for our own reasons. However we end up in bad companies, groups and relations.

Therefore this lesson will highlights some of the qualities of a bad friend in an alphabetized manner.

A bad friend is, a, an;

A; agoraphobia (fearing to go outside and being in public places).

B; baleful (depicting hatred, anger, evil or the idea to hurt someone).

C; cliquey (behaving like a clique). A clique seems to be unfriendly to other people.

D; daredevil (a person who does dangerous things for pleasure and does not worry about the risk.

E; envious

F; fraudulent (using illegal ways to get something).

G; greedy

H; hoity-toity (behaving in a rude way with the intention that you are better than others).

I; insalubrious (someone who is unpleasant and dangerous to your health).

J; junkie (a drug addict).

K; kooky (silly or strange).

L; licentious (interested in sex in an offensive manner).

M; malicious (unkind and showing a strong feeling to hurt someone).

N; noxious (harmful or poisonous)

O; ominous (making you think that something bad will occur).

P; prankster

Q; quibble (argue about things which are not necessary).

R; ruinous (causing severe loss or damage)

S; sarcastic

T; truculent (easily annoyed and ready to fight).

U; unproductive

V; violent

W; wrathful

X; xenophobia

Y; yammer (someone who talks or complains a lot)

Z; zombie (someone not bothered about what is happening and moves slowly).

So lovely people out there the responsibility lies on you to distinguish between a bad friend from the good one.

Source: Ebenezer Zor

Zorebenezer@gmail.com

SMILE &LAUGH (JOKE)

A new lecturer who has been given a subject to teach wanted to be familiar with the students.

So what happen?
 

Lecturer: “Good morning students”
 

Students: replied “Good morning sir”
 

Lecturer: “I want know your names. So when I point at you, mention your name and form a sentence with it” Eh! Eh!!Eh!!!
 

Students: responded “yes sir”
 

Lecturer: “yes”
 

Pat (a student): My name is Pat. P for pot, A for apple and T for Tom.
 

Lecturer: Beautiful! Next……………..
 

Student: My name is Amos. A for apple, M for mipple, O for opple and S for sipple.
 

Lecturer: fantastic! We will continue tomorrow with others good day.


By Ebenezer Zor.

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEEDS REVIVAL

Undoubtedly, the Ueaf champions league is the most watch and captivating club competition around the globe.

This has led to a drift of taste for European football leagues than our leagues in Africa.

The feeling and expectation among football lovers from all walks of life is so strong that even in Africa to be specific, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) champions league is not enterprising.

Not too long, football lovers have to leave their offices; students have to cancel lectures likewise others visited the cinema to watch the Ueaf Champions League semi-final duel between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid played at Camp Nou some days ago in Spain.

I was so mesmerized at the rate at which the Ueaf Champions League has become so scintillating among Africans at the expense of the CAF Champions league.

However, I would like to put forth some points that could help regain the image of CAF Champions league in Africa.

First, CAF should seek for a more lucrative sponsorship deals that can hype the Champions League to match up the Ueaf Champions League.

Moreover, the CAF Champions League should be re-branded the to at least synchronize with that of the Ueaf Champions League in a way to bring back life in the CAF Champions League.

Again, matches to be played should not coincide with any other competitions when it kick of.

More so, CAF should endeavour to fulfill the promises to the participating clubs at the respective stages on time.

In addition, CAF should ensure that match commissioners, referees and other officials to improve on their skills for the benefit of the championship.

Furthermore, management of the various clubs should produce quality players that would attract the attention of Africans as well as the world.

I think and believe that when these measures are carefully examined, CAF Champions League would gain more popularity.

                                                                      

                                                                      Ebenezer Zor

                                                                      Email: zorebenezer9@gmail.com

                                                                      Source: Graphic Sports

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD FRIEND?

The free dictionary defines a friend as;

1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.

2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.

3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.

4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement: friends of the clean air movement.

5. Friend A member of the Society of Friends; a Quaker.

Who is a friend?
A friend is a person or someone who knows you well and like you, but not a member of your family.
Many a time we socialize with people for our own reasons. 

However it will be prudent to know the kind of friend or people you move with on the basis of attitude.
 

Therefore this lesson will highlights some of the qualities of a good friend in an alphabetized manner.
 

A good friend must be;
 

A; affable
B; brave
C; charismatic
D; discipline or diligent
E; encouraging and economical
F; fair (dealing with an issue)
 

G; generous
H; hospitable or humble
I; illustrious
J; judicious (showing intelligence and good judgment)
K; knowledgeable
L; lovely
 

M; mettlesome (determine to succeed)
N; numinous (exhibiting the authority of something spiritual or holy that is present)
O; optimistic
P; protective
Q; quick-witted (able to think of good ideas or replies quickly)
R; reputable
 

S; smart (serious, measurable, astute, reliable, tolerant)
T; Trustworthy
U; upfront (completely honest without hiding anything)
V; vicarious (well-experienced with issues)
W; witty
 

X; not xenophobia
Y; yogi (someone who knows a lot about yoga, yoga is an event that entails doing physical and breathing exercises to make your mind and body relax).
Z; zappy-lively and exciting
 

Are your friends having these good qualities?
 

By Ebenezer Zor
zorebenezer@gmail.com

MY SOULMATE

Oh what a world we find ourselves!
A world full of hallucination
Your absence has become nightmare
 For once I thought you were you farther away from me
And yet I have lost you.

My heart later spoke, destiny has separated us temporarily
And the seasons are changing together to bring you into my world
I knew a day like this would come emblazoned with love, happiness, hope and determination
Your presence I have ever longed for.

Now that destiny has fetched us together
We cannot be hyphenated by destruction.
Your unswerving love is like the raging waves of whites inseparable at the shore
You are my hidden but found soul mate.
I love you.
 

By Ebenezer Zor
zorebenezer@gmail.com