The nation's finest judo and karate practitioners climaxed the Japanese Week Celebration with a display of competitive martial arts at the Accra Stadium.

The big winners in the two-day event dubbed; ‘Japanese Ambassador's Karate and Judo Championships’ were Commonwealth bronze medalist, judoka Razak Abugri, as well as female karateka specialist, Nadia Sackitey.

Abugri led the way in the men's judo 60-kilogramme category when he clinched gold after overpowering Jones Mintah in the final, while Bismark Yartey pipped Aldair Nyanga to third place.

Ghana midfielder, Derek Boateng, says he is close to ending his hiatus from football in January after receiving offers from two clubs.

Boateng has been clubless after completing a one-year deal with Spanish La Liga side, SD Eibar, last season and he appears to have traded his soccer boots for a golf club after being spotted several times at the Achimota Golf Club taking golf lessons.

A dream union between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and prolific striker, Kennedy Ashia, collapsed at the weekend after the player swerved the Porcupine Warriors for Sudanese champions, Al Hilal.

Kotoko appeared to be in the race for the player’s signature ahead of their regional rivals, AshantiGold, and Accra Hearts of Oak, but the Liberty Professionals lad swerved all three suitors for a more lucrative offer tabled by the Sudanese side.

Ghana’s Under-20 women’s football team, Black Princesses Sunday secured one of Africa’s two tickets for next’s year Women’s World Cup (WWC) with an emphatic win over Ethiopia in their final qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Though the Princesses needed just a draw to qualify, they took care of business and sealed qualification in style with a 4-0 win, courtesy a brace each from Sandra Owusu-Ansah and Princella Adubea, thus securing a 6-2 aggregate result, having drawn 2-2 in the first leg in Addis Ababa.

Nigeria and Mali have set up an all-African final at the Under-17 World Cup in Chile after winning their semi-finals on Thursday.

Reigning champions Nigeria won 4-2 against Mexico, coming back from conceding the opener and then pulling away again after Mexico made it 2-2. Mali also fought back from a goal down to earn a 3-1 victory over Belgium. The African sides will go head-to-head for the trophy on Sunday at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar.

All is set for the special football match tomorrow in memory of  Eric Amankwah, a former player of the Black Stars and now defunct Akosombo Akotex.

The match, which takes place at the Akosombo Presbyterian School park, will involve  two local clubs, Muzuu Football Academy based at Anchiase in the Asuogyaman District and an Akosombo Select Side.

It will be preceded by the burial ceremony and final funeral rites of  Eric Amankwah at Akosombo.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko Faithfuls have donated variety of items, comprising foodstuffs, toiletries and clothing worth GH¢2,000 and an undisclosed amount to Save Our Lives Ghana Orphanage at Anwiankwanta in the Ashanti Region as part of their collective social responsibility.

The owner of the orphanage, Madam Paulina Opei, a trained midwife, received the items and cash on behalf of the inmates and expressed her profound gratitude to the group for such a wonderful gesture towards the enhancement of the lives of the children. She further appealed for more from the Faithfuls and other supporters groups.

Ghana’s Black Princesses welcome their Ethiopian counterparts to the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday in the final qualfying match of the 2016 Under-20 Women's World Cup (WWC).

The Princesses drew 2-2 in Addis Ababa and are hoping to repeat the dose to claim the spot for next year’s tournament slated for Papua New Guinea.

Opportunity beckons  judokas and karatekas across the country as they look to impress national coaches this Saturday at the Japanese Ambassador's Karate and Judo Championships at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The two-day open championships, which climax on Sunday, forms part of the week-long Japanese Week Celebrations .

It  will see over 200 athletes battling it out in various weight categories for medals, as well as coveted spots in the respective judo and karate national teams.

All is set for the 13th edition of the Accra Seniors Open Tennis Championship scheduled for the Accra Lawn Tennis Club from November 19 to  29.

According to Peter Annan, the event coordinator,  the championship is expected to attract a number of tennis players within the Greater Accra region and its environs.

Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah has called on managers of the various national teams to see their positions as sacrifical ventures free from monetary gains such as the payment of ex gratia, appearance fees or bonuses.

He said “I do not have a problem with people who earn moneys after they have invested so much at the club level but when it has to do with national teams I think that the managers must also sacrifice and place the interest of the country first”.

Two executives of the Ghana Hockey Association (GHA),  Madam Elizabeth Safoah King, and Nii Quaye Kuma have been elected as executives of the  Africa Hockey Federation (FIH).

While Madam King, the GHA Treasurer, was elected unopposed at a congress held in Johannesburg , South Africa as part of the FIH championship, Nii Kuma  beat two other contestants to win the position as vice president

The two, together with other executives who were elected during the congress, will hold office for four years, and have opportunity to seek a second term in office, depending on their performance.

Nigerian midfielder, Lukeman Haruna, shot to prominence during the West African country’s participation at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when he was called to replace injured Mikel Obi.

Mr chairman, special Guest of Honour, President of the Ghana Football Association, Managing Director of First Capital Plus Blank, the CEO of SuperSport, esteemed dignitaries, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it’s such a great pleasure for us to gather here again for this important agenda on the Ghanaian Football calendar.

Today, we recognise and celebrate the achievements of outstanding footballers, clubs and officials in the just ended season. My heartiest congratulations to all who have been nominated for the various award categories.

As we celebrate the 10th PLB Awards Night, we do so in full contentment of the knowledge that we’ve come a very long way to make our game one of the most attractive and enjoyable. In doing so, it is appropriate that we recognise the roles of all those who have in diverse ways made it possible.

Lamine Diack, ex-head of the IAAF, is being investigated over allegations he took payments for deferring sanctions against Russian drugs cheats.