GRi Sports 27 – 11 - 2001

Inter Milan, Lazio fight over Gargo

Ishmael equals Dan's record

Jones plans to retire

Laatekwei, Tijani to explode

150 to vie for Tafo Open trophy

 

 

Inter Milan, Lazio fight over Gargo

 

Milan (Italy) 27 November 2001 - Long before the European transfer market opens after the Christmas break, Ghana Black Stars’ defensive midfielder, Mohammed Gargo remains the most sought after player in the prestigious Italian serie A league.

 

The Ghanaian international is currently the major target on the shopping list of two giants of Lazio and Inter Milan. Each of the two clubs have not hidden their intentions of signing on the newest sensation in the Italian market.

 

Inter, AC Milan and Lazio had all at one time been in the race for the Udinese star only to cut short any such interest at the last moment. For Inter, their present desire to acquire the services of the Ghanaian came up when reliable defender Marco Materazzi got injured.

 

With the vacuum created by Materazzi’s absence, the side needed an urgent replacement to fill the gap and possibly help them gain participation in next year’s champions league.

 

The lot fell on Mohammed Gargo who has distinguished himself among the top flight defenders of the Italian league in the present season. Lazio’s interest in the Ghanaian stemmed from the possible suspension over a long period that awaits former Manchester king pin Jaap Staam.

 

In a bid to avoid absorb such shocks, should their fears be confirmed, Lazio are moving in faster to secure Gargo.

 

To formerly state their interest, both Lazio President, Sergio Cragnotti and officials of Inter Milan are scheduled to meet Udinese representatives separately very soon to negotiate for his transfer.  

GRi…/

 

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Ishmael equals Dan's record

 

One of the best things to happen to Ghana football in the last three years is the emergence of Ishmael Addo.

 

Three seasons ago the youngster emerged form Hearts of Oak's nursery side, Auroras, riding on a promising future with looks that bore semblance with Hearts' late cult figure, Shamo Quaye.

 

Within three seasons Addo has metamorphosed into one of Ghana's all-time best strikers and equalling a goal-scoring feat many great strikers have failed to accomplish.

 

Last Sunday Addo was presented three new footballs in commemoration of three hat-tricks he scored this season. Minutes earlier he had given Ghanaians true meaning of his famed scoring attributes when he struck twice against at Dawu Youngsters.

 

His 26th minute connection to Charles Taylor's through pass equalled Peter Lamptey's club record of 21-goal haul registered long before Addo was born. By the 51st minute Addo had moved onto a different plane by breaking the record with his 22nd goal of the season.

 

It also strengthened his hold on the top scorers chart as well as a claim for a record equalling three consecutive goal-king titles set by legendary ex-Black Stars and Bofoakwa striker, Dan Owusu in 1978.

GRi…/

 

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Jones plans to retire

 

Accra Hearts of Oak’s technical director, Jones Attuquayefio, is considering retiring from active soccer. “I am certainly not getting any younger and it is only natural for me to start thinking of giving way for the younger ones to continue from where we left off.”

 

The retirement idea, though in the nursing stage now, is expected to start with a vacation in Europe at the end of the current season which draws to a close this Sunday.

 

The vacation which, will be the first for the coach in as many as 12 years, from his days at Goldfields through Accra Great Olympics to Hearts of Oak, according to the coach, will pave the way for a good start from next season.

 

Jones, chief pilot of Hearts’ five consecutive titles in the league plus CAF Champions League and Super Cup champions last year says his retirement form the game will not mean severing his relationship with soccer. He very likely, would go into consultancy service for young players and clubs.

 

He confirmed also that there is information to the effect that Esperance de Tunis of Tunisia are making enquiries about him with the aim of signing him on.

GRi…/

  

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Laatekwei, Tijani to explode

 

The Kaneshie Complex will explode with fun on Friday when Despite Sports Promotions stage their third promotional bout in yet another grand style.

 

As usual, it is going to be a night where boxing will again be rarely combined with show-business as the promoters will be involving a host of top class musicians to spice the programme. But the eight-bout package will produce its own thrills as some of the nation's promising boxers will be on display.

 

Definitely, a clash between fine boxers like Laatekwei Hammond and Moro Tijani can be classified as a thriller, which every boxing fan would not want to miss. The two pugilists feature in the main bout on the bill with Laatekwei's national and West Africa Super lightweight title at stake.

 

Tough Togolese super middleweight customers, Sabou Ballogou who recently lost on points to James Toney, will challenge Brimah Kamoko for the West Africa title while Osumanu Adama slugs it out with Marciano Commey in a national and West Africa super welterweight championship.

 

In a final elimination for the super lightweight title, US-based Emmanuel Clottey fights Isaac Quartey while twin brother Joshua Clottey squares off with Fatal Onikeke of Nigeria in a welterweight 10-rounder.

 

ABU middleweight champion James "Hot Ice" Toney encounters Beninois Setehegbe Maturin in a 10-round bout, with Osumanu Akaba and Lokossou Theodore engaging in an international featherweight contest over eight rounds. A flyweight bout between Alfred Quaye and Galley Cudjoe over six rounds seals the rich deal.

GRi…/

 

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150 to vie for Tafo Open trophy

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2001 - About 150 amateur golfers throughout the country will assemble at the Tafo Golf Course in the Eastern Region to compete for the sixth annual Tafo Open Golf championship trophy on Saturday, December one and Sunday, December 2.

 

A spokesman for the Club who announced this in Accra on Monday, said the two-day scratch event, is being sponsored by Volta River Authority as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations.

 

Victor Torgah and Mona Captan will defend the trophies they won last year in the Men's and Ladies events respectively.

 

Meanwhile, Jeff Fisher returned 70 net to win a farewell competition hosted in honour of Mr John F. Sam, former Manager of Achimota Golf Club, who retired after a dedicated 12 years service.

 

The second position went to Isaac Quarshie with 71 net, C.T. Squire came third with 71 net, Bashiru Sakibu was fourth also with 71 net while Jeff Abeasi placed fifth with 72 net.

 

In the Ladies event, Esther Amedzro came first with 65 net, Beatrice Hampton was second with 70 net while Maria Ben-George placed third with 71net.

 

Mr Gilbert Morgan, Captain of the Achimota Golf Club described Mr Sam as an illustrious man whose contribution has made the Club what it is today.

 

Mr Sam, on his part, was happy about the cordial relationship in which he worked with the members and expressed the hope that the same would be extended to his successor.

GRi…/

 

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