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<h1>After 23 years traveling, training, and pursuing an education and career, Dutch-Ghanaian athlete, Akwasi Frimpong is back to his homeland of Ghana.</h1>

In partnership with Decathlon Ghana and doTERRA, Frimpong has arrived to promote the sports of bobsled and skeleton, two disciplines that Ghana is yet to fully explore due to weather handicaps.

Frimpong started the Bobsled and Skeleton Federation- Ghana (BSF- Ghana) in 2016, after deciding to compete for his motherland Ghana in the sport of skeleton to help put his country on the map, and promote winter sports in Ghana. Frimpong was Ghana’s first athlete to qualify for the World Championships in skeleton.

“I am going there to build up Ghana’s place in the sport, and reach out to the Ghanaian youth there,” Frimpong said.

He will address youth at 12:30 p.m. July 28 at Lucas College in Accra, Ghana -- speaking to them about unearthing their potential through education, leadership and sports. He will then meet with other sporting hopefuls at 10 a.m. July 29 at the Accra Mall Junction, to encourage them in discovering the sport of skeleton and bobsled.

“Ghanaians have the great attributes of resilience, determination, and confidence -- and on top of that great leg speed. I think once Ghanaians learn how to steer a skeleton and drive a bobsled they can make a mark in the sport of bobsled and skeleton. And it starts with me showing others that we can do it and excel,” Frimpong said.

Besides organizing the events, Frimpong will also be visiting Ghana National Sports Authority, the Ghana Youth and Sport Ministry and the Ghana Olympic Committee, to discuss ways to work together to get more Ghanaians involved with winter sports.

“Going to Ghana after 23 years is not going to be a vacation,” he said. “I am going there to put in my best efforts to be involved and contribute to my home country. I'm mostly excited to be among my people. It has been way too long.”

READ MORE: <a href="http://www.pulse.com.gh/bi/sports/akwasi-frimpong-meet-the-athlete-making-history-with-ghanas-olympic-ambitions-id6255246.html" id="1dd75baf-31f5-5683-85bf-32ab6d3a0a38">Akwasi Frimpong</a>

Frimpong currently resides in Utah, where he is training to represent Ghana in the skeleton in the Winter Olympics. He got into the sport after being a second alternate bobsled brakeman for the Dutch 2014 Winter Olympic team.

Frimpong had a highly successful first season as a skeleton athlete. In the 2016-2017 season, Frimpong moved up to ranking of 95 out of 154 ranked skeleton athletes in the world. He was the first West African in history to qualify and compete at the 2017 IBSF World Championships in skeleton.

Frimpong has overcome many trials to get where he is, including: being an illegal immigrant in the Netherlands, recovering from debilitating injury, financial setbacks and more. But every time, he transformed those obstacles into opportunities, and his hard work has not gone unnoticed.

His story has inspired audiences worldwide, and the BBC World News confirmed this week that it will be filming a short documentary about Frimpong’s Ghana visit, his journey to the Winter Olympics, and the complexity of starting a winter sport federation in a warm country.

On a personal note, Frimpong looks forward to visiting his Grandma Minka after decades apart. She is the one who taught young Akwasi the following: "Akwasi, what you need for success is already in you; it's a matter of believing in yourself, and having the will to work hard and to never give up.”

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Frimpong is a rare Ghanaian innovator in the sporting disciplines of Bobsled and Skeleton

Olympic hopeful back in Ghana after 23 years

Ghana Premier League

Black-stars

Football

<h1>Ghanas David Accam is among a list of eight Chicago Fire Stars being considered for selection into the MLS All-Star team.</h1>

The others are Nemanja Nikolic, David Accam, Juninho, Dax McCarty, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Johan Kappelhof, Brandon Vincent and Jorge Bava.

The 2017 MLS All Star team will play in the 22nd edition of the annual All-Star Game against 12-time European Champions Real Madrid at the Soldier Field in Chicago on August 2.

Accam has been in stunning form for Fire this season, scoring seven goals in 15 games from the wings.

The 26-year-old, in all, has bagged 31 goals in 69 games across the MLS and the US Open Cup since arriving in the US two years ago.

<a href="https://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2017/06/03/all-star-vote" id="73328420-2d0d-517d-8e7a-bc78ccff82e5">Click on this link for details on how to vote for David Accam to make the 2017 MLS All-Star squad that will play Real Madrid in August.</a>

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You can vote for the in-form Accam to make the MLS All Star squad to play Real Madrid

David Accam in the running to play Real Madrid

<h1>South African giants Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed parting ways with their assistant coach, former Ghanaian international defender John Paintsil.</h1>

The club issued a statement on Thursday confirming it had reached an agreement with the 35-year-old to terminate his contract.

READ ALSO: <a href="http://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/john-paintsil-kaizer-chiefs-honour-ex-black-stars-defender-id6785975.html" id="008299e2-1906-5a86-acab-87c3ad579bf6">John Paintsil</a>

"Kaizer Chiefs and John Paintsil have come to an agreement to terminate his contract as the assistant coach of the club with effect from 6 June 2017. His contract was due to expire in June 2018," the statement said.

"Both parties have signed a separation agreement, the terms of which are confidential. The club thanks John for his contribution and wish him well (in) his future endeavours."

The decision comes in the wake of a series of controversial issues involving the young Ghanaian coach.

Paintsil was this week involved in a loan and sex scandal, when a 24-year-old South African lady named Lebo August, who claims to have sexual relations with him, accused him of owing her R3000 (Ghc 1000), that being a loan she offered him without repayment.

Paintsil has denied the allegations of the loan as well as being August's 'friend with benefits'.

"I owe her R3000? What did I buy from her?'' he quipped, in an interview with South African publication Sunday World. "I don't have a girlfriend with that name.''

READ MORE:<a href="http://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/in-south-africa-lady-accuses-friend-with-benefits-john-paintsil-of-owing-her-gh-1000-id6796991.html" id="289924f9-2a7c-5401-bae6-7ab48be255d3">In South Africa</a>

The former Fulham right back was in May involved in yet another controversial issue: The Sunday World reported that he had dramatically blocked the exit gates of the 214-unit housing complex in Johannesburg where he resides, inconveniencing neighbours who were rendered late on their way to school and work. He apparently engaged in that stunt, which neighbours described as 'crazy', as protest after his landlord cut electricity to his apartment.

He later denied ever doing that. "I don't know what you are talking about. I don't even stay there. Where is that place?" he said

READ ALSO: <a href="http://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/video-john-paintsil-hired-as-tv-pundit-for-fifa-confederation-cup-id6780115.html" id="9ddfb2a6-6091-5e91-ac13-5b414d5d6614">Video</a>

Paintsil joined Amakhosi as assistant coach on June 27, 2016.

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The South African giants have axed the Ghanaian in a week that has seen him embroiled in a sex and loan scandal

Kaizer Chiefs sack John Paintsil as assistant coach

<h1>Ivorian international football star Cheick Tiote suddenly died on Monday, June 5, in a hospital in China.</h1>

This sad event occurred about an hour after he collapsed while training with his club, Chinese second tier side Beijing Enterprises.

"He just collapsed right in front of me," teammate Jin Hui said, according to a post on social media platform WeChat seen by the BBC.

"I still cannot believe this," Hui, 29, who joined first aid efforts, added.

Here are some facts Pulse Sports gathered about the former Newcastle man that you may have never known.

1. He was a devout Muslim.

Tiote was a dedicated Muslim who was committed to Islamic practices. He is believed to have been observing the holy month of Ramadan - which involves abstinence from food, liquids, sex, smoking and sinful behaviour - at the time of his untimely demise. He was also, as permitted by Muslim rules, polygamous, with two wives.

2. Tiote died just two weeks before his birthday.

He died 16 days before his birthday.

He would have turned 31 on Wednesday, June 21.

He was born on Saturday, June 21, 1986 in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.

3.He made his UEFA Champions League debut aged 19

This was in December 2005 for Belgian club Anderlecht in a 1-0 loss against Spanish club Real Betis.

He was just 19 years old, and he had joined the 34-time Belgian champions on a three-year eal from Ivorian club FC Bibo a few months earlier.

He would go on to win two Belgian league titles and two Belgian Super Cups with the Purple and Whites.

4.He once gave away a medal he won to a friend

Tiote is reported to have given his silver medal to a friend after the Ivory Coast lost the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final on penalty shootouts to Zambia in Libreville, Gabon.

"I gave my medal to a friend, because I was so disappointed," he told Newcastle United's official website.

"I didn't want to keep it - we did well, but we didn't win it; maybe next year we will win the competition.

Three years later, he was a part of the victorious Elephants who won the trophy after beating Ghana on penalty shootouts in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

5. He was expecting a child at the time of his death

Tiote's first wife, Madah Bitèye Tioté, 28, is reportedly expecting to give birth to the couple's third child this week, according to the Guardian's Ed Aarons.

Tiote, Madah and their two children lived together in a £1.5million mansion in Ponteland near Newcastle during the deceased's seven-year stay with the Toons.

As a Muslim who was entitled to polygamy, he married a second wife, Doukrou Laeticia, in 2014. The ceremony, which took place in Abidjan in his native Ivory Coast, was confirmed by his agent, Jean Musampa, who said: 'I can say that he did get married and that it is his second marriage. This is nothing unusual. He is a Muslim.'

He is also known to have fathered a four-year old son, Rafael Tiote, with his former mistress, Zimbabwean Nikki Mpofu, 36.

6. His cause of death is not yet officially known

Although it has been reported that Tiote died from cardiac arrest, the exact cause of his death is not on public record yet. (As at today, Wednesday June 7, two days after his death)

According to his club, Beijing Enterprises, they are waiting to officially inform his family before making it public.

"We must wait until his family is here," club spokesperson Yang Xiaoxiao said.

"We need to respect their opinion and not to speak more at this moment."

7. He owned a men's clothing line

Tiote and friend, fashion designer Yusuf Abubakar Tumi founded a men's fashion line called TIC in February 2014.

The line featured a selection of jackets, shoes and T-Shirts.

Tiote is reported to have seen a jacket by Abubakar, 26, in a picture and asked to meet up with the designer.

Their friendship and business partnership blossomed.

Abubakar, in fact, on Monday, shared contents of a whatsapp chat session he had had with Tiote hours before his shocking demise.

Tiote played for Anderlecht, Roda JC, FC Twente, Newcastle United and Beijing Enterprises in his career. He won league titles at Anderlecht and FC Twente.

He was capped 52 times for the Ivorian national team, playing at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (winning one in 2015) and two World Cups.

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Here are some facts about the former Newcastle man, who shockingly died on Monday aged 30, that you may have never known.

Six things you didn't know about the late Ivorian footballer Cheick Tiote

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<h1>The English Premier League will be coming to Africa this summer.</h1>

Everton, who finished the 2016/17 season in 7th, will be visiting Tanzania to play a pre-season game in July.

READ ALSO: <a href="http://pulse.com.gh/sports/baba-rahman-everton-boss-ronald-koeman-keen-on-ghanaian-winger-id6681297.html" id="76eeece8-d4a0-54a5-819a-cc8fb96573b9">Baba Rahman</a>

The trip is being organized to celebrate The Toffees' new title sponsorship deal with .

Everton signed a club-record multi-year deal to make the sports betting giants their main shirt sponsor earlier this month.

Coach Ronald Koeman's side will play at Tanzania's 60,000-capacity National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam on Thursday 13 July, against the winner of the inaugural SportPesa Cup, which is a an eight-team tournament between clubs in Kenya and Tanzania.

READ MORE: <a href="http://pulse.com.gh/sports/english-premier-league-jordan-ayew-sets-up-swansea-victory-over-everton-id6636460.html" id="4f5015dc-be3c-5a6d-983b-0be391c040e1">English Premier League</a>

Everton will thus become the first Premier League club to play in the East African country.

SportPesa was first launched in Kenya three years ago and is the title sponsor of the Kenyan Premier League.

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The Merseyside-based side will become the first Premier League side to play in Tanzania

Everton to play pre-season game in Tanzania

<h1>Ghanas Black Starlets will be honoured by the state should they emerge victorious at the ongoing Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in Gabon.</h1>

READ ALSO: <a href="http://pulse.com.gh/sports/africa-u-17-nations-cup-black-starlets-camp-hit-by-malaria-ahead-of-semi-final-clash-id6718009.html" id="fbc820a0-4e56-5b79-b4d2-805d066c2ba0">Africa U-17 Nations Cup</a>

After comfortably topping their group, the team beat Niger 6-5 on penalties in the semi final on Wednesday to set up a final against Mali on Sunday.

Paa Kwesi Fabin's boys have been in fine form, scoring nine times in four games as they chase Ghana's third African title.

Ghana's deputy sports minister, Pius Hadzide, has confirmed that the Starlets would be honoured by the state should they beat the Malians in Libreville.

READ MORE: <a href="http://pulse.com.gh/sports/football/caf-u-17-championship-how-the-black-starlets-fared-in-their-spirited-semi-final-win-over-niger-id6730981.html" id="acbe5cbf-31eb-547d-8aaa-862ddc4a1fac">CAF U-17 Championship</a>

“The country today is a trophy hungry country and we haven’t won a trophy in a long while. We are yearning to see and hold a trophy so we are begging you to do us proud and bring us a trophy," he said.

"The instructions of the Minister is that when you are able to do this you will be the first young national heroes whose names and pictures will be embossed in the National Center for Sports Tourism which we have just opened in Cape Coast."

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The team is on the verge of winning the 2017 Africa U-17 Nations Cup

Black Starlets to be honoured in Cape Coast if they win trophy

<h1>Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah will name his squad for Ghanas AFCON 2019 qualifier against Ethiopia on Friday.</h1>

The Black Stars will face the Walias on June 11 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, in what will be their opening game of qualification for Cameroon 2019.

READ ALSO: <a href="http://pulse.com.gh/sports/kwesi-appiah-black-stars-coach-to-get-permanent-accomodation-funded-by-the-state-id6718596.html" id="e8d0955e-b1fd-5f52-bc2b-2064e033efd5">Kwesi Appiah</a>

Appiah, appointed in April and unveiled in May, has been overseeing the preparations of the Black Stars B team (Local Black Stars) at the Ghanaman Center of Excellence at Prampram ahead of the CHAN qualifiers as well as the WAFU tournament in September, but is expected to put that on hold to focus on his primary job with the Black Stars.

With two friendly games against Mexico and the United States also in the offing, Appiah is expected to a name a large squad that <a href="http://pulse.com.gh/" id="949bfd0f-aa6c-582e-a557-d49082127711">Pulse.com.gh</a> understands will see the return of several of the players who played under former coach Avram Grant.

READ MORE: <a href="http://pulse.com.gh/sports/black-stars-gyan-remains-skipper-ayew-as-assistant-kwesi-appiah-id6687523.html" id="3b8fb7f5-9ced-5452-95a5-fb911a82af26">Black Stars</a>

He is however expected to hand call ups to FC Zurich's 30- goal striker Raphael Dwamena as well as play-maker Yaw Yeboah of FC Twente.

There are also whispers of a return to the national team fold for Juventus' Kwadwo Asamoah after an absence of almost three years.

Ghana placed a disappointing fourth at the last AFCON in Gabon under Avram Grant, a result that paved the way for Appiah's return.

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The squad will feature new faces, as well as returns for some old players, Pulse Sports understands

Kwesi Appiah to name squad to face Ethiopia on Friday

Baffoe was born in Bonn, then the capital of West Germany, in 1965 to Ghanaian parents.

After spending his early career at German clubs such as FC Koln and Fortuna Dusseldorf, the central defender was eligible to play for the high profile West German national team, but in the end chose to play for Ghana, joining the team in 1991.

Baffoe was the first foreign-born player to play for the Black Stars.

He was an integral part of the side that finished second at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal, even missing a crucial kick in a marathon penalty shootout with the Ivory Coast in the final.

He also played at the 1994 edition in Tunisia.

Kevin Prince Boateng

Boateng was born in Berlin, Germany to a German mother and Ghanaian father. As a youth player, he featured for the German U-19, U-20 and U-21 national sides.

The Ghana Football Association first made an attempt to secure Boateng ahead of the 2006 World Cup, but it wasn't until May 2010 - a year after FIFA relaxed its international switch rules - that he received his Ghanaian passport.

Boateng played at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, before announcing a shock international retirement a year afterwards, saying the demands of club and international football were taking a toll on his health.

He would however rescind his decision just in time for the 2014 World Cup. His return would be cut short after his sacking from camp on charges of verbally abusing Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah. He was since suspended from the team indefinitely and has not apologized.

Quincy Owusu Abeyie

Born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Abeyie represented the Dutch at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship before switching his allegiance to represent Ghana in 2007.

He played at the 2008 Africa Nations Cup hosted in Ghana as well as the 2010 World Cup played in South Africa.

The speedster has 18 Ghana caps with two goals. His last call-up was in 2011, six years ago.

Emmanuel Frimpong

Frimpong's case was an interesting one.He was born in Kumasi, Ghana, and moved to the U.K at a young age.

He excelled as a youth player and represented England's U-16 and U-17s.

He made it clear right from the onset that it was his wish to represent the country of his birth, despite being eligible - and indeed, having high chances - of playing for England.

"No matter what, I will always play for Ghana because at the end of the day, from what I believe, I am a Ghanaian," he said in 2009.

"I have always told my family that if Ghana calls me, I will personally ride my own bicycle from England to Ghana [to play for the Black Stars]," he reiterated in 2011.

In November 2012, he was finally cleared to represent Ghana.

Although born in Hamburg, Germany, Schlupp grew up in England, where his family - consisting of Ghanaian parents - moved to when he was young.

The 24-year-old was eligible to play for Germany - he was in fact once called up for their U-19 side, although he did not feature - but he chose to play for Ghana, and earned his first cap in 2011.

Appiah was born in Thamesmead, London, and was eligible to play for England - but he chose to play for the West African nation, the motherland of his parents.

The 26-year-old striker was called up ahead of Ghana's campaign at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and ended up featuring and scoring at the tournament, winning silver medals with the Black Stars.

The youngest Ayew brother qualifies for this list because of his country of birth.

Ayew was born France, when his legendary father Abedi Ayew was playing for Marseille, and so was eligible to play for the French national team if he wanted to.

But the 25-year-old, admittedly, was never going to wear a Les Bleus shirt considering his father's rich history with the Black Stars.

He won his first Ghana cap in 2010 and has since scored 12 goals in over 40 caps.

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Pulse Sports' top picks of players who could have featured for European countries, but chose Ghana

K.P Boateng and six other footballers who chose Ghana over Europe

<h1>Ander Herrera was picked up the top honour at Manchester Uniteds Player of the Year Awards on Thursday night.</h1>

READ ALSO: <a href="http://pulse.com.gh/sports/football/manchester-united-premier-league-giants-predict-record-revenue-for-2017-id6686669.html" id="bf5ccf73-7eb2-5fed-9056-0091b59868e0">Manchester United</a>

The 27-year-old Spaniard beat off competition from Antonio Valencia and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to take home the Sir Matt Busbuy Player of the Year trophy in a competition voted for by fans.

The midfielder has made 49 appearances this season, impressing the Old Trafford with his box-to-box playmaking while scoring two goals.

READ ALSO: <a href="http://pulse.com.gh/sports/football/sergio-romero-goalkeeper-at-the-ready-in-manchester-united-stalemate-id6695621.html" id="b6b98cf1-8379-512c-b0b7-5d900ef10208">Sergio Romero</a>

'It is very special for me to win this award because when you see the list of the winners you realise how important it is... and because I stop the record of David [de Gea] and because the trophy stays in Spain as well," Herrera said in his speech.

Valencia, 31, took home the Players' Player of the Year award as consolation. The Ecuadorian has been immense in a utility role for the reds this season.

Armenian attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan took home the goal of the season award for a goal he scored against Sunderland.

Angel Gomes was named the Jimmy Murphy Youth Team Player of the Year.

Axel Tuanzebe was named Reserve Team Player of the Year.

Juan Mata and Ander Herrera at the awards.

Timothy Fosu Mensah with Marouane Fellaini.

Paul Pogba enjoying himself on the night.

Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Daley Blind and Timothy Fosu Mensah (left to right) were present on the night.

The manager, the controversial Jose Mourinho, wasn't going to miss out.

READ ALSO: <a href="http://pulse.com.gh/sports/football/man-utd-man-city-city-rivals-to-meet-in-houston-id6686339.html" id="ad6b95a1-0fcb-513b-a880-68d4cc0b2b09">Man Utd, Man City</a>

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anthony Martial, Ashley Young, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojowere notable absentees from the event.

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