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Sports News for Thursday, December 31, 2020
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
2020-12-31
Palmer was disqualified from participating in the FA presidential race in October 2019
With only a few hours to go before the year 2020 is over, it is appropriate and wise to sift through our archives and bring you some of the biggest sports stories of the year.
The sports industry suffered greatly from the coronavirus pandemic, and indeed the fight continues with new cases of the disease forcing another shutdown and shutdowns in certain parts of the world. However, in Ghana, the stories below caught the attention of sports fans.
CK Akonnor named coach of Black Stars
While 2020 has been a turbulent year for many, including CK Akonnor, it is also easy to understand why this could easily be his best year when it comes to his coaching career. Why?
Because the Ghana Football Association (GFA) appointed Charles ‘CK’ Akonnor as their new national team coach to replace Kwesi Appiah.
Akonnor is a former Ghana captain and spent much of his playing career in Germany with stints at Fortuna Koln and Wolfsburg, among others.
Akonnor was part of Appiah’s coaching staff with the Black Stars.
He has also taken over clubs in Ghana, including the country’s two best-supported teams, Hearts of Oak and recently Asante Kotoko.
Thomas Partey signs for Arsenal
After years of hard work and consistency, Partey landed the move that will improve his financial gains and cement his place as one of the best midfielders in the world. Ghana International made a huge move of money to English team Arsenal, who activated their £ 45 million release clause.
Partey signed a long-term contract in the Emirates after completing his paperwork and doctor just before the 11pm deadline on the transfer deadline in October.
Before joining Arsenal, Partey had been a key player in Diego Simeone’s midfield since he stormed into the first team from the Atlético academy in 2015.
Kotoko appoints Nana Yaw Amponsah as Executive Director
After years of media tours promoting his credentials as a young man with the ability to change the face and fortunes of Ghana football, Nana Yaw Amponsah had her big break in administration. Kumasi Asante Kotoko appointed him as the new executive director of the club.
Amponsah was introduced at a ceremony at the Sports Hotel in Kumasi on August 7, 2020. Kotoko has been without a CEO for the past three months after the new Board of Directors dissolved the administration led by George Amoako.
Since then, the 2019 GFA presidential hopeful is tasked with overseeing one of Ghana’s largest clubs for the next three years.
Amponsah, who was the president of the Division One club, Phar Rangers FC, resigned from his position prior to his appointment as Kotoko’s new CEO.
GFA cancels 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League season
One of the most difficult decisions for the Ghana FA led by Kurt Okraku was the decision to cancel the 2019/2020 league season. This was a new FA chief eager for #BringBackTheLove and less than 3 months into the campaign, he had to stop it due to the increase in coronavirus infections in Ghana.
But on June 30, 2020, after an Executive Council meeting of more than 5 hours, the GFA made a decision and released the information on its official Twitter page. Soccer in the country had been suspended since March, as part of the government’s measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. The GFA had been under pressure to provide clarity on the current soccer season, following the virus outbreak.
Osei Palmer loses TAS case due to GFA electoral disqualification
This year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) settled one of the most controversial cases involving the owner of Tema Youth, Wilfred Kwaku Osei (Palmer), and the Ghana Football Association. Palmer had turned to the CAS to overturn the Ghana FA elections that brought Kurt Okraku to power in 2019.
Palmer was disqualified from the FA presidential race in October 2019 for allegedly violating financial regulations following the transfer of a player from his club.
Therefore, he sought refuge in the CAS to reverse the decision to hold a new election once he is declared eligible.
However, in its ruling on September 1, 2020, the CAS endorsed Palmer’s disqualification from participating in the GFA presidential race, giving credence to Ghana’s current leadership structure.
Asamoah Gyan Joins Legon Cities
One of the biggest stories in 2020 was the return of former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan to the national league.
After nearly two decades abroad, Gyan, who once played for Liberty Professionals, decided that he was going to finish his career at home.
The talks had progressed with Asante Kotoko and it seemed like a closed deal that he would join the Porcupine Warriors until both parties could not agree on the financial package of the deal.
With Kotoko determined to meet the player’s demands, Ghana’s new Premier League boys Legon Cities Football Club confirmed the signing of former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan.
Gyan, 34, joins the Royals in a loan deal worth a deal that is reportedly in excess of $ 1 million.
According to his manager, Sammy Anim Addo, the player was attracted by the financial offer and other incentives offered by the club owned by businessman Richard King Atikpo, chairman of the board of the Lemla Group, which comprises Legon Cities FC, Gulf Energy, Lemla Energy, Lemla Veterinary Services, Tomrich Mines and Construction, and Airtech.
Kick boxer Patrick Allotey arrested
Another great story in the year 2020. Perhaps it was a glimpse of what was to come later in the year.
Africa’s WBO super welterweight champion Patrick Allotey was arrested by the Ministries Police in Accra in January 2020.
This was after the boxer was caught on video inflicting blows on Asante Kotoko fan Michael Siaw, who was celebrating Kotoko’s 2-1 victory over Accra Hearts of Oak.
The shameful conduct sparked outrage on social media as Mr. Siaw, wearing a Kotoko T-shirt, suffered a deep cut after receiving heavy blows from the boxer.
The incident started when Allotey asked the fan to stay away as he appeared to be blocking her view. Michael Siaw refused, at which point Allotey is seen taking off a pair of headphones around her neck and begins to push the viewer away.
In the video, the professional boxer who lost his last fight to Mexican Jaime Munguia delivered three quick stiff blows to Siaw’s face.
This threw him to the ground where he struggled to get back up. He suffered a wound under his left eye and had to be sutured.
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