Sports
We’re here to play, not to make excuses – African Hockey Chief lashes South Africa
The African Hockey Federation is dissatisfied with South Africa’s decision to withdraw its men and female teams from the upcoming African Games, Accra 2023.
At a news conference in Accra on Tuesday, Seif Ahmed, President of the African Hockey Federation, stated, “We came to play. Not making reasons not to play.”
South Africa’s teams withdrew from the competition, citing pitch safety issues.
“I feel that this pitch would considerably assist African hockey. Africa has 25 hockey-playing countries. Only one country, South Africa, has certified turf.
“Of course, if we take over the turf late, we will be unable to verify it. But, based on our expertise, we know it is safe to use.
The continental President stated that South Africa did not follow appropriate process while opting to withdraw from the tournament. He stated that the assertion that the pitch was poor was implausible since the grass had not been put at the time the images being sold by the South Africans were taken, and the condition of the turf could not be determined from the photographs.
Mr. Seif went on to say that the obligatory certification requirement only applies to pitches used for Olympic qualifiers.
“What we have heard is that the real reason South Africa pulled out of the competition is because they are afraid of injuries, as they are preparing for the Olympic Games. We are here to protect the athletes, but we have no control over injuries.”
South Africa’s male and female teams qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after participating in the 2022 African Cup of Nations on the old grass at Accra’s Theodosia Okoh Hockey Pitch.
The newly built pitch surface is of the greatest quality and will be utilised at the 2017 Paris Olympics.
Except for hockey, South Africa will compete in seventeen (17) other events at Accra 2023, with a contingent of three hundred and forty-six.
With nearly 5,000 participants from 54 nations competing, the Games will include twenty-nine (29) different athletic categories spread over two cities: Accra and Cape Coast.
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.
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.
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.
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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