Exchequers Saturday recorded a surprise 3-3 draw against Police in a feisty BEIGE Capital knock-out men's Group B hockey tie at the Theodosia Okoh Stadium in Accra.

The result ensured that Exchequers, representatives of Bank of Ghana in the Greater Accra Hockey League, will face defending champions Trustees in the final of the competition next Saturday after they topped the group with four points.

Prior to their encounter with Police, Exchequers thrashed Reformers 4-1 during the opening day of the competition.

Former Black Stars international, Samuel Osei Kuffour has been appointed by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as Executive Board Chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

By his new designation, the Asantehene has literally handed over the club to the former Bayern Munich defender with the sole aim of restructuring the entire club and forming his own team at both management and board levels.

In a sport where racism is widespread, it was least surprising to see young Ghanaian international, Godfred Donsah take the lead role in the fight against racism in football.

Widespread racism has given European football a black eye recent times, with Ghanaians players also falling victims to racial attacks from fans.

The Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, has advocated a national plan for sports development in the country.

According to the articulate chief, Ghana can avoid several casualties in sports administration if there is a plan to guide the nation from repeating errors of the past.

“We can’t do things haphazardly and all efforts will be meaningless without a proper plan,” he stressed.

Ghanaian international Harrison Afful emerged winner of the enviable 2014 MTN SWAG Footballer of the Year award last Saturday at the Banquet Hall of the State House.

Afful surprisingly beat Black Stars skipper, Asamoah Gyan, and his deputy Andre Ayew who many had tipped to win the coveted prize.

Many tipped Gyan for the award based on his sterling performance at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, scoring two great goals to become Africa’s all-time top scorer. 

A former chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), George Haldane Lutterodt, has blamed bad leadership and lack of foresight for Ghana’s below average performance in athletics at the recently ended All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo.

Mr Lutterodt described as shameful and disgraceful Ghana’s inability to get a single gold in track and field events despite the GAA claims of making huge progress in the discipline over the past six years.

He cited the Professor Dodoo-led administration for lacking competence and proper planning with little knowledge of how to manage athletes in these modern times.

Nsoroma GPS Super XI emerged champions of the novelty cricket league organised in Accra to unearth talents.

The champions last Saturday beat Taysec Titans by 83 runs in 15 overs in the second innings at the Achimota Cricket Oval to carry the day.

For their feat, Nsoroma GPS were presented with a trophy, some edible products and cash. The competition also showcased a display of bat and bowl from the Under -15 and U-13 age groups under the auspices of the Accra Juvenile Cricket League.

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwesi Nyantakyi yesterday paid a visit to ailing former Black Stars captain John Eshun at his home in Takoradi.

The former Ghana international and coach has been battling with illness in recent months.

Mr Nyantakyi was accompanied by the Western Region FA Chairman, Kojo Yankah, Mr Kweku Eyiah and the CEO of Sekondi Hasaacas, Nanabanyin Eyison.

Eshun played for the national team from 1965 to 1974.

Liverpool continued a stuttering start to their Europa League campaign as they drew with FC Sion at Anfield.

Adam Lallana gave the hosts a perfect start, scoring from close range after Divock Origi's cross despite appearing to be offside in the build-up.

The Swiss side drew level through Ebenezer Assifuah's cute finish.

Gaffe-prone Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina has been included on the Ballon d'Or shortlist and could potentially be named the best footballer in the world if a report from Spain is to be believed.

The 59-player list, which Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claims to have obtained exclusively, also includes Harry Kane, David de Gea, Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez, among others.

Former Black Stars international and a frontrunner to take over the running of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Samuel Osei Kuffour, is expected to meet the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, today at the Manhyia Palace to discuss a road map for the club.

Manhyia sources told the Daily Graphic in Kumasi yesterday that details of the meeting were still under wraps but were believed to focus on the Kotoko take-over.

The MTN-SWAG Awards, Ghana’s premier event which honours outstanding sports personalities and institutions, comes off this evening when stakeholders from the sports fraternity and representatives of  corporate institutions converge on the Banquet Hall, State House, for honours.

In all, about 25 awards are to be handed out to distinguished individuals and organisations, with Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan, Andre Dede Ayew and Harrison Afful vying for the Male Footballer of the Year award.

Two leading sponsors of the FIFA World Cup have called on Sepp Blatter to immediately resign as president of world football's governing body.

The calls from the soft drinks giant Coca-Cola and the international fast-food company McDonald's on Friday, come a week after Blatter was placed under criminal investigation by Swiss authorities for alleged financial wrongdoing at FIFA, which he has led since 1998.

World number one Serena Williams has announced her withdrawal from next week's China Open in Beijing and the WTA Finals in Singapore, ending her season.

“I am taking a proactive step and withdrawing from tournaments in Beijing and Singapore to properly address my health and take the time to heal,” the 21-time Grand Slam winner said in a statement.

The China Open first tweeted the announcement, but the Women's Tennis Association has not confirmed Williams’ withdrawal from Singapore's year finale.

Last season fans of Atletico Madrid and eagerly looked forward to their team hosting  city rivals, Real in city derby in the La Liga. This season it’s unclear if the feeling is the same.

On Sunday, the two Madrid giants clash at a time when the 2014 Champions League runners-up are struggling while Real though, not in vintage form in the La Liga, are still a force to contend with.