Ghana Sports Excellence Awards 2nd EDITION

The Ghana Sports Excellence Awards has been a forefront for celebrating the heroic Ghanaian sports personalities team, athletes clubs admi nistroars and stakeholders for their outstanding achievements across the sporting spectrum. After the  launch of the 2^nd edition of the Ghana Sports excellence Awards  at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 18 , 2015, This years chairman Thomas Boakye agyemang , during the launch encouraged entries from individuals and orgainsations that have historically been reluctant t showcase their achievements , he added that winners would be selected through an independent judging process under the direction of a chief judge.

Ex-President Kufuor has been penciled for the lifetime achievement award, Vice President Amissah-Arthur is up for the Best Contributor to Disability Sports, while Hon Dr Mustapha Ahmed is in contention with the likes of the President of the Ghana Football Association, Lawyer Kwasi Nyantakyi, and the President of the Ghana Tennis Federation, Justice Yao Obimpeh for the Best Sports Administrator Award.

In a fierce competition, world sprint icon, Sani Brown (Ghanaian-Japanese), Memphis Depay (Ghanaian-Dutch), Jerome Boateng (Ghanaian-German), and Kwabena Appiah (Ghanaian-Aussie) were shortlisted for the Best Diaspora Athlete Award.

Four other top performers, George Darko (Tennis), Richard Seklorwu (athletics), Andre Dede Ayew (football) and Nafisatu Umaru (hockey) have been nominated in the Best Sports Personality category.

Viasat 1 TV’s Thierry Nyann, TV3 Network’s Michael Oti Adjei, Ghana Television’s Theophilus Sampah and United Television’s Romeo Oduro also made it into the Best Television Sports Reporter category.

The Best Radio Sports reporter category roped in Bright Kankam Boadu (Luv FM-Kumasi), Nathan Quao (Citi FM-Accra), Benedict Owusu (Joy FM-Accra), and Christian Chibueze (Kekeli FM-Ho).

In the Best Print Sports Reporter Category, Daily Graphic’s Rosalind K Amoh and Kwaku Zurek were shortlisted alongside Daily Guide Sports’ Kofi Owusu Aduonum and Ghanaian Times Sports’ Andrew Nortey.

For their immense financial support to sports in the country, Unibank Ghana, GLICO Group, Groupe Nduom Bank, and Ghana National Petroleum Corporation were picked out of a number of sponsors for the Best Sponsor grouping.

The Best Executed Development Programme category has the likes of McDan Open Tennis, Airtel Rising Stars, Sprite Ball, and MTN FA Cup competing for the covetous award.

The Ghana Sports Excellence Awards established in 2014 by Hallmark Plus Multimedia, are awarded annually to sportspeople who have been outstanding during the year under review. The 2015 staging of the awards is set for Accra on December 26, 2015.

The event is proudly powered by Hallmark Plus Multimedia and supported by IBOM LCC, Enya Events Management, SHARIS Events, Black Entertainment, Fashion, Film & Television Awards (BEFFTA), Metro TV Sports, arik air, TV3 Sports, Angel TV, Mtech Communications, Pepsi, Graphic Sports, Kessben FM Sports (Kumasi) and Western Group, publisher of the Daily Guide newspaper.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM KENICHI YATSUHASH

It’s a new day and as new season approaches Accra Hearts of Oak are clear on their intent to give their fans something to be happy about. Last season Hearts finished  th  and had their fans frustrated through out the campaign. Their last season ensures they don’t take part in Africa which in my view is a big blow to the management and how they could attract sponsorship.

Now with a new coach Japanese in Kenichi Yatsuhashi  , the big question is what to expect from him?

The Japanese coach has started pre – season training with the Phobians and in a statement he said He will try his best to make the fans happy by achieving their expectations and in turn make them happy.

Who is Keni?

Well according to his Wiki; Kenichi Yatsuhashi is Japanese of origin but lived most of his days in the  United States of America, he hold a USSF A and National Youth coaching license , a CONCACAF International coaching license , an NSCAA Goalkeeping diploma , and a KNBV advanced diploma.

 His last held position was in August 2015 with May Societa Ise FC junior Youth U15 and Judging from his job positions he is definitely new to the Afican terrain. Even though he has lots of coaching experience with youth teams , ladies teams and tactical experience. I believe he’s still got a lot to learn from this part of our contenient and how our style of football differs from Japan or USA.

A definite positive he will be bring to the club is his ability to develop players, it’s a great booster for Hearts of Oak youth teams and the goalkeeping department for the Senior team.

During his turner I expect to see more youthful transitions into the senior side to help boost the squad and also bring up some new gems for the local front as well. What I would love is to see Keni improve the goalkeeping department for the club which could help address the issue of non performing goalkeepers in recent times.

Over all it’s a plus to the Centurion club  but it will be too early to make assumptions of the system he will play and whether indeed he can win Hearts the League and the FA cup as he has promised.

Keni is also a social media fanatic which will be good for the fan base but he was quick to say he would check his usage of the platform , which indeed is a wise move just to stay clear of the criticisms and unnecessary media attention which will not be needed in his early years as a Foreign coach on the Ghanaian scene.