The 28th Ghana University Sports Association Games (GUSA) is officially underway at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) after a breathtaking opening ceremony at the New Examination Centre.

Running from 3rd to January 18, the sporting event, a celebration of athleticism and human spirit, is on the theme: “Repositioning University Sports for National Development.”

16 public universities are competing in 12 disciplines, including athletics, basketball, football, hockey, volleyball, handball, tennis, and goalball.

A major highlight of the ceremony was a parade of institutions, where participating athletes proudly represented their universities in colourful outfits, embodying the spirit of unity and sportsmanship.

The flame of the GUSA 2024 was also lit amid fanfare.

Addressing the guests, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, who declared the Games officially opened, stressed the importance of unity and showcasing universities’ rich talents through sports.

Arsenal’s trophy drought was extended following their defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Arsenal lost to Newcastle with a final score of 0-2, goals coming from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.

This result knocked Arsenal out of the competition, effectively ending their hopes of adding a trophy to their cabinet this season in the Carabao Cup.

Arsenal’s last major trophy was the FA Cup in the 2019-2020 season. Since then, they haven’t managed to secure any significant silverware, with their last league title dating back to the 2003-2004 season, famously known as the “Invincibles” season.

This loss to Newcastle continues their ongoing struggle, now into the sixth season under Mikel Arteta’s management without a trophy.

The defeat has led to significant frustration among fans, with some expressing disappointment over the team’s performance, the lack of new signings, and the management’s strategy.

There’s a sense of déjà vu as Arsenal have been seen as contenders for trophies in recent seasons but have fallen short, leading to criticism of Arteta and the team’s ability to close out games or competitions.

Despite a strong start to the season in the Premier League, this loss amplifies concerns about Arsenal’s depth and ability to compete on multiple fronts. The injury list has been long, affecting key players, which has been seen as a contributing factor to their faltering in cup competitions.

This defeat underscores the challenges Arsenal face in ending their trophy drought, with fans and analysts now looking towards the remainder of the Premier League season for any silver lining.

However, with the team’s current form and the competition’s intensity, securing a trophy this season looks increasingly challenging.

FIFA has unveiled the official list of Ghanaian referees approved to officiate international matches for the 2025 calendar year.

23 referees overall. Great credit to the Ghana Football Association for how hard they have worked to get our referees to this level after the disaster of Number 12 where over 53 officials received various bans for acts of corruption.