Johannesburg
(South Africa) 17 April 2002 - Ghana’s Samuel Osei Kuffour, top defender of
German soccer power-house, Bayern Munich, lost his second bid for Africa’s Best
Player award in ‘South Africa on Tuesday. Kuffour was beaten to second place by
Senegalese international, El Hadj Diof in a poll organised by the Confederation
of African Football (CAF). Cameroon’s Samuel E’to Fils came third.
Official
results of the polls, announced in South Africa on Tuesday had the Senegalese
23 votes ahead of the Ghanaian at 96 to 63. Bemused Kuffour did not immediately
talk to the press but stated later that the outcome buttressed the favour for
strikers over defenders by administrators of the game. He said he gives thanks
to God for whatever happened.
But back in
Ghana many see Kuffour’s shocking miss as a slight by the continental body for
compatriot Abedi Pele’s support for Sepp Blatter in the latter’s campaign for
the FIFA presidency in May against CAF boss Issa Hayatou. “CAF has displayed
it’s a bias organisation by this singular deed,” an Accra soccer fan uttered
after the results broke on Tuesday evening.
This is the
second occasion that Kufuor has come close to winning the coveted prize. In the
1999 award, the stalwart defender lost narrowly to Nigeria’s Nwankwo Kano at a
time when many thought the Ghanaian had done what was enough to deserve the
trophy.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 17 April 2002 - The Hockey Association on Wednesday released fixtures for the up-coming African Club Hockey Tournament, which starts from Tuesday 23 April 2000 through to the 30th.
According to the pairings, Yebo and Federal, both from Nigeria would engage each other in the opening match in the men’s division at seven in the morning while Sharkia from Egypt and Plateau from Nigeria meet in the first women's soon after that of the men’s. Also scheduled for the same day, the male team of Sharkia lock horns with Police also of Egypt.
On the second day of the tournament, Prisons of Ghana versus Imo of Nigeria, the women's team of Fire of Ghana battle Sharkia of Egypt, Yebo engage Police of while Exchequers versus Trustees Kenya in the men divisions. On Thursday, April 25, Plateau of Nigeria and Sharkia (women) would play in the first of four matches lined up. Fire versus Telcom of Kenya (Women) Police would sort it out with Exchequers of Ghana (men) while Federal versus Trustees (men).
The rest of the pairings are Friday April 26- Telcom versus Imo (women), Prisons v Fire (women), Sharkia v Trustees (men), Yobe v Exchequers (men). Saturday April 27 - Plateau v Telcom (women), Sharkia v Imo (women), Federal v Police (men), Yobe v Sharkia.Sunday April 28 - Fire v Imo (women), Plateau v Prisons (women), Yobe v Trustees (men) and Federal v Exchequers (men). Monday April 29 - Sharkia v Prisons (women), Plateau v Imo (women), Federal v Sharkia (male), Police v Trustees (male). Tuesday April 30 - Telcom v Prisons (women) and Sharkia versus Exchequers (men).
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 17 April 2002 - The ALITALIA walk race was held in Accra last Saturday 13 April 2002 with Stanley Braimah of the Central Region winning for the competition for the third time this year with a time of 1 hr 38 minutes. He won Ghana US cup and the Biriwa Hotel walk early this year.
The Starting gun was shot by Mr De-graft Coleman of ALITALIA with the support of the Chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association Mr George Lutterodt. Yaw Fordjour, Anthony Adjei, Richard Addo and Andrews Asante took a commanding lead for the first ten kilometres, but suddenly disappeared as Vincent Asumang, Stanley Braimah, Ahmed Tijani, and Eric Nuamah came into the scene.
Vincent Asumang however stopped two clear kilometres to the finishing line and this paved the way for Braimah who is at his best this year to take the first position, followed by Eric Nuamah, and Ahmed Tijani of Eastern Region and Ghana Armed Forces respectively.
The first prize was presented by Mr De-graft Coleman and included products from Cowbell, Energizer batteries, Voltic Mineral Water and a special award from Biriwa Beach hotel. Mr Ashie of the National Sports Council presented the second prize, whiles Mr Anthony Obeng of MASS Sports presented the third prize.
The chairman of El-Wak keep fit club Mr Gilbert Helegbe in his remarks thanked the sponsors ALITALIA, Cowbell, Energizer batteries, Voltic Mineral Water and Biriwa Beach hotel on behalf of the El-Wak keep fit club and the Visco Walking Cub. He appealed to them to give their maximum support for the up-coming Republic Day Walk, which comes off on 29th June 2002.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 17 April 2002 - The Annual National Milo Open Tennis championship begins at the Accra sports Stadium Tennis Courts from Monday 22 April 2002 to Saturday 27 April. A spokesman for the Ghana Tennis Association who announced this in Accra on Wednesday said about 100 participants are expected to take part in the competition which is being sponsored by Nestle Ghana Limited.
They will be competing in the Men's and Ladies Open, Boys and Girls U-16, and Boys and Girls U-14. He said registration for the one-week competition is expected to end on Friday 19 April. Mr David Churcher, Head-coach of the Ghana Tennis Association said the competition, which has recorded no foreign entrants, as compared to previous years’, will not be lacking in excitement as most of the players had psyched for the event.
GRi…/
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