The Managing Director (MD) of Right to Dream (RtD), Robin Bourne-Taylor says his outfit is committed to offering the best opportunities to Ghanaian children and will continue to protect them from unscrupulous agents who steal players and deny the football academy of returns on their investments.

Mr Bourne-Taylor in a statement, reacting to "a sustained attack on the academy with lies about their football operations", said such lies have been designed to discredit Right to Dream (RtD) and the work it has done in Ghana to unearth talents for the country.

The National Sports Authority (NSA) has rationalised the closure of the D.G Hathiramani Sports Hall to athletes until full renovation works are completed.

This follows the refusal of the authorities to allow athletes who are competing in the upcoming national sports festival to train in the facility.

Black Stars head coach, James Kwasi Appiah, has promised to contribute $5,000 seed money for the Kwasi Appiah Foundation set up to support retired footballers and athletes.

Apart from that he has hinted of a monthly deduction of between $3,000 and $5,000 from his salary into the fund to ensure lives of many athletes and ex-footballers were changed.

The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) is supporting the various national sports federations with about $150,000 to enhance the development of their programmes.

This was confirmed in a letter signed by the first vice president of the GOC, Paul Atchoe, in respect of the disbursement of funds to both Olympic and non-Olympic sports federations which was sighted by the Graphic Sports.

Black Stars coach, Kwesi Appiah, has encouraged Ghanaians not to throw their hands in despair over the team’s ability to qualify for next year’s Mundial in Russia.
While admitting he does not possess the magic wand to turn things around, he was convinced that with the right attitude, the team could still book a ticket to the world’s biggest football gathering.

Reacting to a call yesterday by the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Pius Enam Hadzide, to brave the odds and qualify the team to Russia, the Stars coach said despite trailing current leaders, Egypt, by five points, there was nothing in his lexicon like ‘it’s over’ when it comes to football.

Christian Atsu and Andre Dede Ayew have both been called for international duty for Ghana next week, but before they jet back home, the duo have an important score to settle as their teams, Newcastle and West Ham clash in one of the talking points matches of the this weekend’s English Premier League fixtures.

Accra Great Olympics head coach, Tom Christian Strand, and his assistant, Godwin Attram, have fired warning shots at their regional rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak, ahead of their Week 25 Premier League fixture on Sunday, stating they are out to seek revenge for the 1-2 loss they suffered in the first round at the Accra Sports Stadium.

In separate interviews with the Graphic Sports yesterday, both Strand and Attram were very optimistic about winning Sunday’s clash as a loss to the Phobians would mean saying goodbye to the Premiership, a situation they agreed would be detrimental to Olympics’ image.

Black Stars coach, Kwasi Appiah, has put his faith in young lads as he seeks to revive Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia in a crucial double header against Congo.

He has thus invited two debutants into his 24-man squad to first host Congo at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on September 1, and the return leg in Brazzaville on September 5.

Happenings around the powerhouse of Ghana football hints of interesting times ahead as powerbrokers ponder a possible regime change under a new helmsman, come 2019.

The widely reported friction between incumbent Kwesi Nyantakyi and his current vice George Afriyie has given a new dimension to the future vacancy previously only seen as Mr Afriyie’s inheritance.

The 2017/18 UEFA Champions League group stage draw has been made, with highlights including Bayern v Paris, Chelsea v Atlético, Juventus v Barcelona and Real Madrid v Dortmund.

Ghanaian striker Raphael Dwamena has arrived in Brighton ahead of a medical and an all-important work permit hearing on Friday (tomorrow) before completing a transfer to join English Premier League new boys Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Seagulls, earlier this week agreed a fee of around £10 million with Swiss side FC Zurich for the lanky 21-year-old who has also agreed personal terms although the deal is subject to work permit and international clearance processes.

For a guy who hasn’t even practiced yet, the Lions are confident defensive end Ziggy Ansah will be ready for the regular season.

Ansah remains on the physically unable to perform list, coming off a career-worst sack season in 2016 in which he was bothered by a high ankle sprain. But the Lions seem certain he’s going to be ready to start the regular season.

Manchester United have re-signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a one-year contract.

The 35-year-old former Sweden striker made 46 appearances and scored 28 goals for United last season.

Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah and Leicester defender Harry Maguire have been included in the England squad for September's World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia.

Maguire, 24, and Chalobah, 22, have both been selected in an England squad for the first time.

WAFA reclaimed the top spot of the Ghana Premier League after beating Kumasi Asante Kotoko 2-0 in their outstanding game at the Red Bull Arena at Sogakope yesterday.

Second half goals by Prince Obeng Ampem and Daniel Lomotey did not only hand WAFA the maximum points to overtake Aduana Stars, with 46 points, but also re-emphasised their home invincibility with their 11th home win this season.