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Ghana FA secures lucrative partnership with Mara for Black Stars ahead of World Cup

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The Ghana Football Association has announced an enticing partnership deal for the Black Stars ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Mara, Africa’s ultimate digital finance ecosystem, has become the senior national team’s official partner in a reported $1 million deal, providing the team with a significant financial boost as preparations for the tournament continue.

Through this first-of-its-kind partnership in Ghana, Mara will be creating close connections with football lovers across Africa and beyond in unique and compelling ways; welcoming them into a community where they can ignite their passion for creating digital wealth, grab hold of numerous digital finance opportunities and enjoy financial empowerment.

“The passion and excitement for football has the power to offer hope and unify Africans across the continent and beyond in a truly remarkable way, regardless of background, or socio-economic status,” Chi Nnadi, co-founder and CEO at Mara said while commenting on the partnership at the GFA Headquarters in Accra.

“We are particularly excited to partner with Ghana FA as they #BringBackTheLove for Ghana’s national football team and empower people with a common hope and dream.

“Mara remains committed to empowering the dreams of Africans across the world and offering the creation of wealth through digital finance.” he added.

Buttressing this, Susan Younis, Chief Marketing Officer at Mara said;

“We have very exciting activations and offers that will be rolled out with the upcoming World Cup tournaments. As these activities commence in the next few weeks, we look forward to creating opportunities and environments where Ghanaians can experience the essence of Mara in person.”

Ghana FA President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku expressed his joy over the mouthwatering sponsorship deal with Mara and shared why the partnership is a perfect fit.

According to Mr. Okraku; “Digital assets being digital means of exchange have come to stay all over the world. We are delighted that the pairing of Mara and GFA with this commercial relationship has been realized, as such partnerships have become increasingly common in sports worldwide.”

“This partnership, the first of its kind, will bring to fans various opportunities offered by digital assets in our football community. The second reason for a partnership such as this is that it provides crucial revenue to the industry.

“The next few months will witness an explosion of Ghana Football on digital platforms.” he concluded.

After its official launch in May 2022, Mara, a Pan-African digital finance ecosystem raised $23M from coinbase, alameda to spread crypto adoption across Africa.

This follows the recent announcements of betPawa as the Ghana Premier League’s title sponsor and Access Bank as the Division One League’s title sponsor.

They have also secured Malta Guinness as the Women’s Premier League’s main sponsor.

Black Stars return to action this month with international friendly matches against Brazil and Nicaragua.

The games are part of the team’s preparations for the World Cup, where they will face Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay in the group stage.

A lot more about MARA:

MARA a is Africa’s ultimate digital finance ecosystem, empowering Africans’ dreams by leveraging block chain to transform the social and economic future of African communities, countries and the continent.

With digital finance, Web3 and block chain education as its focal point, Mara is set to train one million people and impact one billion lives in five years. Mara’s executive team includes former executives from Amazon, PayPal, Uber, Apple, Multichoice, NBC Universal, Viacom, NVIDIA, Founders Bank, Rappi, and more.

The company raised a total of $23M from Coinbase Ventures, Alameda Research (FTX), Distributed Global, TQ Ventures, Day One Ventures, DIGITAL, Nexo, KuCoin Ventures, Huobi Ventures and nearly 100 other investors and angels. The Mara executive team is led by Chi Nnadi, Lucas Llinás Múnera, Dearg OBartuin, Kate Kallot, and Susan Younis.

Source: Ghanasoccernet

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Black Stars fitness coach Ricky Roy reportedly dead

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He remained with the national squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the current Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. Roy rose to prominence as a member of the coaching staff for Division One League club Vision FC in February 2020, before joining the national squad.

Romeo Ricky Roy, the fitness coach for Ghana’s senior national team, has died.

According to Ghana Football Association president Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku’s Facebook post, he died in Accra on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Roy joined the Black Stars’ backroom staff in 2021, during Milovan Rajevac’s second spell as coach.

He remained with the national squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the current Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Roy rose to prominence as a member of the coaching staff for Division One League club Vision FC in February 2020, before joining the national squad.

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Veteran Sports Commentator Joe Lartey dies at 96

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Joe Lartey was born on June 6, 1927, in Accra and attended Accra Academy. Lartey, often known as "Over to You," was a well-known broadcaster and SWAG's founding president. Lartey began his media career as a football commentator with the Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation (GBC) in 1961. He grew to be a popular figure in Ghana's sports community. He subsequently spent a decade at Radio Nigeria before returning to GBC in 1990. During his stint, he presented shows including Sports Digest on GTV.

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has reported the death of Joe Lartey, a veteran Ghanaian football pundit and sports writer.

He passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the age of 96.

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Joe Lartey was born on June 6, 1927, in Accra and attended Accra Academy. Lartey, often known as “Over to You,” was a well-known broadcaster and SWAG’s founding president.

Lartey began his media career as a football commentator with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in 1961.

He grew to be a popular figure in Ghana’s sports community.

He subsequently spent a decade at Radio Nigeria before returning to GBC in 1990. During his stint, he presented shows including Sports Digest on GTV.

In appreciation of his achievements in sports journalism, Lartey received the coveted “A Life in Sport” award from the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) during the AIPS Sport Media Awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar, in June 2022.

Lartey’s impact stretched well beyond Ghana, with numerous Ghanaian football analysts praising him for moulding their careers.

Fans and colleagues alike will remember him warmly for his pioneering work in sports broadcasting.

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Xavi to stay as Barcelona’s coach until at least June 2025

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Xavi took over as manager of Barcelona in November 2021, after leaving Qatari club Al Sadd, and led the team to the Spanish title in his first full season in charge in 2022–23. However, they are 11 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid with six games remaining in the current season. Barcelona was eliminated from the Champions League last week after losing to Paris St. Germain in the quarterfinals.

Barcelona coach Xavi will stay with the club until at least the end of his contract in June 2025, having changed his mind about this being his final season.

The 44-year-old stated in January that he will stand down as manager this summer.

However, with president Joan Laporta desperate for him to stay, the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder has made a U-turn.

Xavi took over as manager of Barcelona in November 2021, after leaving Qatari club Al Sadd, and led the team to the Spanish title in his first full season in charge in 2022–23.

However, they are 11 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid with six games remaining in the current season.

Barcelona were eliminated from the Champions League last week after losing to PSG in the quarterfinals.

Xavi, who won 25 honours during his brilliant playing career at Barcelona, said he felt “liberated” with the revelation that he would leave the position at the conclusion of the season.

When he announced his departure following the defeat to Villarreal, he felt he was not being safeguarded by the club and there was no clear direction.

However, the team’s fortunes have improved since Xavi felt comfortable taking a more casual attitude.

They went ten games undefeated in the league before falling 3-2 to Real Madrid on Sunday.

On Wednesday, there was a meeting at Laporta’s residence, and the club’s desire for him to stay was clear.

If Xavi is unable to strengthen the squad before the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Barcelona will attempt to persuade one of the high-profile managers out of contract, including Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and Mikel Arteta.

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