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Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area

‘We need a national plan for sports development'

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.

A sister of Harrison Afful receives the coveted Male Footballer of the Year prize from the minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Mustapha Ahmend, ably being supported by MTN Ghana boss, Ebenezer Twum Asante, and SWAG president, Kwabena Yeboah (right).

Afful crowned SWAG 2014 Footballer of the Year

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. 

The Black Queens of Ghana, gold winners at the tournament

Bad leadership cost us medals — Lutterodt

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 GSP win novelty cricket league

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.

Nyantakyi visits Eshun

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.

Assifuah stuns Liverpool at Anfield

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.

Andre Ayew for Ballon d’Or?

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.

Otumfuo meets Kuffour today over Kotoko affairs

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.

Who is who at MTN-SWAG Awards tonight?

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.

Sepp Blatter — FIFA President

Major FIFA sponsors call for Blatter's resignation

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.

• Serena Williams  — Done for the Season

Season is ended for me

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.

Struggling Atletico face tricky Real in Madrid derby

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.

• Thibaut Courtois  — Out till December

Courtois: I’ll return in December

Chelsea number one goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois says he will return with a bang in December after injury ruled him out of the Blues campaign

Courtois suffered a knee injury prior to the Sept. 12 Premier League clash with Everton and will miss several months of the season after undergoing successful surgery.

"I will be out until the beginning of December," said the Belgium international, “ it is not the most pleasant thing to happen but I’ll bid my time.”

• Cristiano Ronaldo —Scores 501 career goals

Lewandowski to Ronaldo: Weird and wonderful goal records

Cristiano Ronaldo equalled Real Madrid's all-time scoring record with his latest Champions League goals, while Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski is enjoying a purple patch that most strikers only dream of.

Ronaldo's double against Malmo last Wednesday were goals 500 and 501 of his career, and he joins Raul as the club's joint-leading scorer on 323 for Real—having played 419 games fewer.

It came a day after Poland striker Lewandowski scored a hat-trick against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, making it 10 in three games for him. He scored twice in last Saturday's 3-0 win at Mainz and five times in eight minutes 59 seconds as a second-half substitute in the 5-1 victory over Wolfsburg last week. That quintet included the fastest hat-trick in Bundesliga history - three minutes 22 seconds.

• Christiano Ronaldo — Reaches new scoring height.

Ronaldo goes past 500th goal mark

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 501st goal of his career as he netted a barce in last Wednesday's Champions League group stage match away to Malmo.

Ronaldo, 30, netted his record 81st and 82nd  goals in Europe's premier club competition following an assist from Isco to put Madrid 1-0 ahead after 29 minutes of the Group A clash in Sweden.

The Portuguese star also drew to within one goal of Real club legend Raul's record of 323, while equalling his mark of 66 Champions League goals for the Spanish giants.

Ronaldo reached the landmark in his 753rd game with 118 goals coming during his time at Manchester United, five while at boyhood club Sporting Lisbon and 55 for Portugal.

The Portuguese, however,  refused to commit his future to Real Madrid just hours. He has long been linked with a return to Manchester United, where he starred between 2003 and 2009 before a then world record 80 million euro ($90 million, £59 million) transfer to Madri

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