Talking Drums

The West African News Magazine

Sports

Sanda to fight Kaylor

Ghana's Imoru Sanda, wil meet Mark Kaylor of Britain for the Commonwealth middleweight title in London in January, next year.

According to the People's Daily Graphic, Sanda's Manager Danny Ofori-Atta dropped the hint after a European tour.

He said the Commonwealth championship committee has been approached to sanction the fight which will be Sanda's first Commonwealth championship bout.

Eagles qualify

The Green Eagles of Nigeria qualified for the finals of the West African championship when they beat Senegal 2-0 on aggregate in the semi-final tie. The Green Eagles won the first leg match in Lagos 1-0 and clinched the deal with another 1-0 victory in Dakar.

Final of finals

Ghana's Fabulous Asante Kotoko and El-Ahaly of Egypt meet in the final of finals of the African clubs championship at the Kumasi Sports Stadium on Sunday, December 11.

The two sides were involved in last year's final drama. El-Ahaly clinched the deal with a 4-1 victory on aggregate.

On their way to this year's finals, Kotoko beat Jaraffs of Senegal 3-2 on aggregate while El-Ahaly defeated Nkana Red Devils of Zambia 2-0 in the semi finals.

New rule slammed

The Lagos State Coaches Association in Nigeria has kicked against the introduction of a new rule that gave no point for a scoreless draw in the State's football league.

Addressing sports journalists on behalf of the coaches body, Mr Emmanuel Ominu, Chairman, described the new rule as a calculated attempt to frustrate the coaches.

Condemning the law in the strongest terms, Mr Ominu, a former Nigerian national goalkeeper, called on the local football association to tell the nation what would be the fate of clubs that end all their matches on scoreless draws.

Sports Minister praises Eagles

Nigeria's new Minister for Youth and Sports, Dr Benneth Birabi has praised the country's national team, the Green Eagles, for their outstanding perform- ances in recent times.

Dr Birabi was speaking at a recep- tion to welcome the Green Eagles from Dakar where they beat the Senegalese national team to qualify for the finals of the ECOWAS Cup championship.

He said he was encouraged by the selfless devotion to duty exhibited by both players and officials of the squad and urged them to win the championship in Ivory Coast.

Responding on behalf of the Green Eagles the Chairman of the Nigerian Football Association retired Commodore Edwin Kenteble thanked the Minister for the honour done his association for gracing the occasion with his presence.

Olympic Games appeal points.

An appeal for funds to ensure Ghana's participation in the 1984 Olympic Games has been launched in New York by the country's Secretary for Youth and Sports, Mr Amarkai Amarteifio. At separate meetings with leaders of Ghanaian communities in Washington, Chicago, New Orleans, Los Angeles and New York, Mr Amarteifio stressed the importance of Ghana showing its flag in Los Angeles.

Mr Amarteifio and retired Appeal Court Judge, Mr Justice Daniel F. Annan, Chairman of Ghana's Olympic Committee, were in the United States at the invitation of the US government to inspect facilities and arrangements being made for the Olympic Games.

At the New York meeting with leaders of the Ghanaian community, Mr Amarteifio stressed the need to motivate Ghanaian sportsmen and women.

He said an amount of 250,000 dollars has to be raised by March next year to send Ghanaian sportsmen and women to Los Angeles. The Youth and Sports Secretary said similar appeals would be launched in Britain.

Mr Amateifio said their talks with US officials have proved fruitful; the officials have agreed to place training facilities at the disposal of the Ghanaian contingent to the games on their arrival in the US.

Mr Justice Annan said the appeal for $10 million for sports development has been launched at home with people of integrity chosen to administer it.

Kotoko draw in Cairo

Asante Kotoko drew nil-nil with El Ahly in the first leg played last Sunday in Cairo.

Azuma retains title

Azuma Nelson, Ghana's African and Commonwealth featherweight champion, retained his title in Lagos at the weekend. He knocked out his opponent in the ninth round.

Until recently he was the leading contender to the world featherweight title which was left vacant by the untimely death of Salvador Sanchez of Mexico.

Azuma fought the late champion in his last title defence which the Mexican won the fifteen round contest only on points
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom, it is the argument of tyrants, it is the creed of slaves.

William Pitt, Speech 18 November 1783




talking drums 1983-12-05 Donor nations to Ghana's rescue