Sports
Rawlings blames sports writers
The Chairman of the PNDC, Flt-Lt. Jerry John Rawlings has accused some sports writers of destroying sports in Ghana. At a seminar for journalists in Accra, Chairman Rawlings declared: "We have got sportswriters who are destroying sports in this country." He said on point of principles, some of the sportswriters in the country should not be given columns to write.Flt-Lt Rawlings maintained that sportswriters should create forums in their columns for people to express their views instead of always pushing down their opinions on the public.
"For quite some time, some sportswriters in the country have sought in their writings to destroy sports instead of promoting it," he said, adding that this has led to the discourage- ment of sportsmen and women with a resultant low performance by the country's sportsmen in international sports competitions.
Chairman Rawlings' criticism on sportswriters stems, ostensibly, from the way some sports journalists have handled the Ghanaian World Featherweight Champion, Azumah 'Zoom Zoom' Nelson's climb to world fame.
Hearts win Ghana gala contest
Ghanaian champion club Accra Hearts of Oak snatched the pre-season gala trophy with a 4-2 penalties win over Sekondi Eleven Wise and emphasised their determination to hold on to their last season's gain.But the fact that neither side could score in the 60 minutes allocated for the finals and that with the exception of Real Tamale United's 1-0 win over Zebi, no team could score nin all the matches honoured in connection with the two-day competition, did not suggest a good goal feast in the new season.
Hearts drew a bye in the first round, beat Obuasi Goldfield 5-3 on penalties and licked Kumasi Cornerstone 4-1 (penalties).
On their way to the finals, Wise beat Hasaacas 4-2, defeated Kotoko 4-3, and scored a 4-2 victory over Hasaacas (all were penalties).
The two-day gala, sponsored by Guinness (Ghana) Ltd, ushers in Ghana's soccer season. The last competition in 1979, was won by Kumasi Cornerstone.
Tema Colts beat Accra
Tema select eleven defeated Accra 1-0 in a colts friendly aimed at introducing boots to the youths. Tema were on top throughout the 30 minutes duration.Soviet Union 'bomb' the Bombers
The Black Bombers, Ghana's national amateur boxing team lost 2-3 to a visiting Soviet Union side in a special international friendly at the Accra Sports Hall. According to a People's Daily Graphic’s report, the Soviets led 3-0 before the Ghanaians found an antidote to their clowning style.Ibole Issaka scored an impressive 3-0 win over Sergei Branshikor. Kofi Quaye also received a 3-0 verdict over Slover Magomedor.
Earlier, the Soviets had taken an impressive lead with Sergei Lupanor gaining a split points victory over Sowah Thompson in a flyweight contest.
Sergei Kostin reduced Robert Laryea into a referee Ibrahim punching bag forcing Alhassan to stop the bantamweight fray in the second round. Francis Mahanoy retired in the first round in his lightweight bout with Sergei Sokolov. The one week visit of the Soviets was under a cultural programme between the two countries.
New body for soccer coaches
An inaugural ceremony has taken place in Accra of Ghana Football Coaches Association (GHAFCO).The association seeks to co-ordinate activities of Ghanaian coaches with a view to improving performances of the men in charge of the technical direction of Ghana soccer.
Union Goree lose
Union Goree of Senegal lost 0-2 to AS Bilima of Zaire in the first leg of the African clubs championships semi-final engagement in Lubumbashi.After a scoreless first half, Bassele put the Zairese ahead in the 55th minute. Mombassi added the second 12 minutes to full time.
Union Goree who lost 0-2 to Zimbabwe's Rhino in the first leg quarter finals, whipped the Zimbabweans 3-0 in the second leg in Dakar to qualify for the semi-finals.
Ghana places fourth in Afro Arab tennis
Ghana placed fourth at the sixth All-Africa lawn tennis championship in Tripoli Libya, winning two silver and a bronze medal. A Ghanaian Times report quoting Mr Eddie Annan, chairman of the Ghana Lawn Tennis Association and leader of the Ghanaian contin- gent, said Kojo Atiso partnering Frank Ofori, won the men's doubles silver medal.Atiso was runner-up in the special Afro- Arab, challenge cup and snatched the bronze in the men's singles top match. The report named Morocco as the overall winners. No mention was made of Nigeria undoubtedly Africa's top tennis nation, indication that Africa's top tennis nation might not have taken part.
Dwarfs back to division one
Oguaa Ebusua Dwarfs and Obuasi Goldfie have qualified to participate in the first division of Ghana soccer. The two teams were runners-up and champions respectively of the middle league competition.Dwarfs, 1967 champion club of Ghana were relegated four seasons ago while Obuasi Goldfields, sponsored by the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation, are the offshoots of Obuasi Adansiman, one-time crack fi division club relegated about 10 seasons ago The two new entrants took part in the Guinness gala competition that has ended Accra.
NNB are Champions of Champions
New Nigeria Bank of Benin defeated F.A Champions Abiola Babes 5-4 on penalties to win the charity cup at the Nigerian Nation Stadium in Lagos. The match that officially ended the 198 Nigerian soccer calendar produced no goals by the end of the 120 minutes of football. New Nigeria won the Nigerian first division league and their victory must be a big boost to the club in their African clubs championship campaign, next year.US coach on Nigerian basketball
Lack of equipment has been identified as the major constraint hindering the progress of basketball in Nigeria.Mr Larry Wingate, a United States coach in Nigeria under the auspices of the US Information Service programme 'Sports America' has therefore pledged kit aid for the development of basketball in the country.
The US coach arrived in Nigeria after a similar assignment in the Persian Gulf.
Court restrains Olympics
An Accra High Court has restrained a 14-member committee of Accra Great Olympics Sporting Club from holding a congress in the name of the club.The order followed a writ filed on behalf of Mr D.N. Alabi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Olympics and granted by Mr Justice Yakubu Ammah, sitting at an Accra High Court.
The court also restrained the respondents from carrying on any sporting activities under the name of Accra Great Olympics Sporting Club. The congress was to approve of a new constitution for the club.
