Sports
Africa Cup contest in March
The 22nd round of Africa's most prestigious soccer competition takes off in March in the Ivory Coast. Ghana's Black Stars, the current champions, will defend the cup they won two years ago in Libya. Countries that have qualified from preliminary matches to participate alongside Ghana include Nigeria, Egypt, Malawi, Algeria, Togo, Zambia and host nation, the Ivory Coast.Preparations towards this soccer bonanza have begun in earnest in all the participating countries. In both Ghana and Nigeria the national teams, Black Stars and Green Eagles have been called to camp. They are also engaged in a series of trial matches with local teams.
Billy retains Commonwealth title
Nigeria's Commonwealth super lightweight title holder Billy Famous has ended Ghana's Armstrong Aziz's impressive chain of victories. At the National Stadium Indoor Hall last Saturday, Billy Famous outpointed the Ghanaian to enhance his chances for a world title bid.Billy won the Commonwealth title early last year from fellow Nigerian Obisia Nwankpa at the same venue.
Participation in Olympic Games
Ghana's participation in the next July Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States, will depend largely on the National Olympic Committee's ability to raise funds outside government circles.Mr Markai Amarteifio, Secretary for Youth and Sports, announced this at the annual awards ceremony of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) at the Continental Hotel.
But the Sports Secretary said every assistance would be given to the Interim Ghana Football Association (GFA) to prepare the Black Stars adequately for the defence of their African championship title in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, next March.
Nine join Green Eagles The Nigerian Football Association has invited nine more players for the preparation towards the Olympic qualifying matching against Morocco.
On the new roll-call are five players of the New Nigerian Bank, two from Rangers International of Enugu and one each from Water Corporation and IICC Shooting Stars, both of Ibadan.
The newly invited players include Edema Benson (midfielder), Augustine Popo (right winger), Samson Ozogular (striker), Bright Omokaro and Amos Edosogie (both defenders) from NNB, Benin.
Others are Patrick Okala (goal), Sunday Ikeagwu (defender) both of Rangers International, Taiwo Ogunjobi, Tony Edwards (both defenders) from IICC and Water Corporation F.C. respectively.
Flash qualifies as coach
Sergeant Flash Emma Ankuddey has returned home to Ghana from an eight month coaching course in Leipzig having qualified as a boxing coach. military? Emma, a former Commonwealth medalist, was among 64 foreign students at the Leipzig College for Physical Culture and Sports during the eight month period from April to November 1983. Sports biology, scientific methodic training for muscular development (ATMT), boxing theory and practice, first aid and massage were some of the subjects taught.Emma, who now holds an internationally recognized diploma as a boxing trainer-coach, was adjudged the most physically conditioned foreign student ever to attend the institute.
Nigeria turns down offer
Nigeria will not take part in the Rothman's soccer competition scheduled for Kenyan capital, Nairobi in June, a senior official of the Nigerian National Sports Commission (NSC) has said.NSC spokesman Ajibade Fashina Thomas told newsmen that Nigeria's participation in the competition was out of the question because of the organizers links with South Africa.
"We know that Rothmans has very strong links with the South African company, Rothmans International and our Government's policy is that we do not have anything to do with racist South Africa," he said.
Mr Fashina-Thomas said advertisement in newspapers naming Nigeria as one of the participants were "false and misleading".
Nigerian club Bendel Insurance was fined 1,000 naira for participating in a similar competition in Abidjan last year, he said.
Mr Fashina-Thomas said the Nigerian Foreign Ministry has raised a strong protest after last year's incident adding, "we are trying to make sure we do not repeat the blunder of last year." Kumasi Asante Kotoko have been selected from Ghana to take part in the tournament.
