Some media houses have in the past few days published varied stories about the NDC, based on the supposed Kwesi Botchwey committee report.

[contextly_sidebar id=”LQYjuhaiD7BdFZDzHUCBzReyceDhGLit”]But speaking in an interview with Citi News’ Umaru Sanda Amadu, Asiedu Nketia said the documents are fake, because the party has not published the committee’s report.

“We’ve taken a position that Kwesi Botchwey’s report is meant for internal consumption so it has not been published anywhere. So any commentary that is being run or any alleged capturing of Botchwey’s report and serialization cannot represent any genuine document coming from NDC.”

The NDC General Secretary further accused the NPP of using the supposed documents to divert attention from major issues in the country.

“I have also observed that, it looks like the NPP government wants to use some fake Kwesi Botchwey report to divert the attention of Ghanaians from the hardships that they are going through. So it’s like they are always using something purporting to be coming from the Botchwey’s report to divert attention of any major issue that seems to be indicting the government,” he added.

Mahama laughs off supposed Kwesi Botchwey report

Former President John Mahama, who was amused by the recent publications, also took to social media platform Twitter, to make a mockery of it.

“It appears ‘KB report has been adopted by some media as the new handbook for any challenge facing Gh…. In the event of crisis, open any page and quote. Lol,” he tweeted.

NDC quiet on Kwesi Botchwey 

The leadership of the NDC has been tight-lipped over findings of the report which was submitted in June 2017, after months of touring and holding consultative meetings with interest groups and individuals across the country.

However, some media outlets including the Daily Guide newspaper and Accra-based Joy FM in series of news stories, have made public what they claim to be some findings of the committee.

The publications, among others, have pointed to Stan Dogbe and Elvis Afyiie Ankrah as John Mahama’s undoing.

It also indicated that, the report had cited some officials at the Flagstaff House during Mahama’s tenure of shortchanging journalists by cutting down budgeted stipends for the presidential press corps and pocketing the rest.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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The 22-year-old forward fractured a vertebra in a collision with Juan Zuniga during Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final against Colombia last month.

Neymar, nominated for the Golden Ball despite missing their semi-final obliteration by Germany and the disappointing third-place play-off defeat by Netherlands, successfully passed a medical on his return to Catalonia on Tuesday.

A statement on the Barcelona website read: “The four World Cup semi-finalists Leo Messi, Javier Mascherano, Dani Alves and Neymar all trained with their colleagues on Tuesday.

“They returned to the club for their medical tests and all passed with flying colours, and are now set for three weeks of intense training in the build-up to the start of official matches in three weeks’ time.”

Neymar scored 15 goals in 41 appearances in his first season at Camp Nou, after signing from boyhood club Santos for €87.2 million last summer.

Barcelona host Elche in their opening La Liga game, which takes place on August 24.

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Source: Sky Sports

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The Barcelona forward, 22, fractured a vertebra in his spine when he was kneed in the back by Colombia’s Juan Zuniga during Brazil’s 2-1 quarter-final win.

“I thank God for helping me, because if that blow had been a few inches lower I would have risked being paralysed,” said Neymar.

Brazil went on to lose 7-1 to Germany in the semi-finals.

World governing body Fifa said no disciplinary action could be taken against Zuniga because the incident was dealt with at the time by referee Velasco Carballo.

Neymar said Zuniga called him the next day to say sorry but the former Santos player stopped short of forgiving the Colombian for the challenge.

“I don’t hate him, I don’t hold a grudge, but I don’t feel anything,” said Neymar. “It’s difficult to talk about a move that ended happening in such an important moment of my career.

“I won’t say he came to injure me – I don’t know what was going on in his head – but everyone who understands football can see that it wasn’t a normal challenge.”

Neymar left Brazil’s training camp by helicopter on Saturday but returned to the mountain city of Teresopolis, near Rio, on Thursday ahead of Brazil’s third-place play-off match against Netherlands on Saturday.

He said he hoped Argentina would beat Germany in Sunday’s World Cup final because Barcelona club-mates Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano play for the Argentines.

On Messi, he added: “He’s won almost everything and I think he deserves to be champion. He is my team-mate and my friend.”

Neymar was the first Brazilian to be involved in five goals in one World Cup since 2002

Neymar was airlifted home from Brazil’s training camp in Teresopolis near Rio de Janeiro on Saturday

Neymar returned to Brazil’s training base on Thursday.

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Mauricio Pinilla, Chile

Footage of Pinilla’s commemorative tattoo has appeared on Twitter

This is the most “World Cup” of World Cup tattoos. Inked in in just the last few days, it serves to remind striker Pinilla of his own near-miss in extra time during the second-round game against Brazil. Chile were later knocked out on penalties, with Pinilla having his attempt saved. The line “One centimetre from glory” adds to the tattoo’s hair-shirt quality. “It illustrates the depth of despair this individual is feeling,” says David Fletcher, a sports psychologist at Loughborough University. “It’s interesting that the tattoo is on his back, rather than his arm or wrist. It suggests that he’s not using it as a spur to further action but more of a statement of how close he came to glory.”

Sergio Ramos, Spain

The twin offerings – one on each calf – from the Real Madrid player show the World Cup and Champions League trophies. Spain did not win the former until 2010, while Real had to wait 12 years to take the latter for a record 10th time. Ramos and his teammates had high hopes of retaining the World Cup trophy in Brazil, but they were knocked out in the first round. “Not every tattoo has a narrative, and even those that do are often contrived,” says Matt Lodder, a body art historian at the University of Essex.

Nigel de Jong, Netherlands

The artist Ade Itameda, who draws inspiration from traditional Indonesian ornaments, patterns and carvings, designed the warrior-like tattoos covering the torso, arms and hands of midfielder Nigel de Jong. “The warrior theme shows just how central the World Cup is to his very being,” says David Fletcher. “It demonstrates that this one, gladiatorial moment in his life is core to his being and that there is no doubt in his mind that this is the defining moment of his life. It’s not just a game to these guys. They’ve trained a whole lifetime and it comes down to a few moments.”

Daniele de Rossi, Italy

The midfielder plays up his own tough approach, which has sometimes got him into trouble, with a mocked-up triangular “hazard” sign of a tackle being performed. It looks like a warning of a slippery floor left behind by an office cleaner. But the tattoo has a bit of extra edge, as the opponent’s leg is hacked away. Because of the need to wear socks during football matches, it is usually seen only in training.

Neymar, Brazil

The injured superstar’s neck inscription has a philosophical edge, much-needed following his team’s semi-final performance. The expression “Tudo Passa” translates into “Everything passes” or “Nothing lasts” in English. Neymar, who left the tournament early with a broken backbone, had to watch as his side were beaten 7-1 by Germany. At least he has the consolation of being only 22 years old, with a chance of making amends for the team in 2018 and 2022. Neymar also has tattoos on his legs saying “Ousadia” and “Alegria”, meaning “daring” and “joy”, both of which he commissioned before joining Barcelona last year.

Raheem Sterling, England

The teenage winger draws inspiration from his childhood in west London, choosing a picture of a 10-year-old boy staring up in wonder at Wembley Stadium’s famous arch, accompanied by the statement: “It’s a dream.” “Wembley was literally around the corner,” he has said. “I used to ride my bike round this little car park that was by the stadium. It’s something that I’ve always wanted – to play for England and be the best I can be as a footballer.”

Raul Meireles, Portugal

The montage adorning the entire right leg of the midfielder, who plays his club football in Turkey, works like an autobiography/travelogue. Designs include the baroque Torre dos Clerigos church in Meireles’ home city of Porto, a cable car (either in Porto or Lisbon, according to the Anglo-Portuguese Society) and a Portuguese Fado guitar. There is a depiction of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, where his club Fenerbahce is based, at the top of the thigh. This is reached via a red telephone box above the knee – a reminder of Meireles’ time playing for Chelsea and Liverpool.

Tim Howard, USA

The shot-stopper par excellence is one of the most decorated of the players on display in Brazil. He has a Superman logo, dragons and a crucifix among his tattoo collection. It also includes pictures of his mother as a young woman and his grandfather in military uniform, which he had done at the Aurora studio in Lancaster in May. “He brought in some photographs to work from,” says co-owner Sam Wisniewski. “He had obviously thought about what he wanted and he sat down and talked about it. If the design is really personal and we know the full story, that makes the design much better.” Unlike most players, Howard does not usually remove his shirts after matches. In this picture, he was bearing his torso as part of a campaign for the animal rights group Peta.

Lionel Messi, Argentina

Messi has his son Thiago’s name tattooed on to his left calf, underneath a pair of hands, presumably based on those of the child. They are not believed to refer to fellow countryman Diego Maradona’s “hand of God” goal against England in the quarter-final of the 1986 World Cup. Messi’s effort is seldom witnessed in matches because it is usually covered by a sock.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

The Portugal captain is something of a counter-culturalist in modern football, choosing not to have any tattoos. The reason? He frequently gives blood and it’s not recommended that people do so soon after getting a tattoo or body piercing, for fear of spreading infections. In fact, it’s banned within four months in the UK.

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Source: BBC

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The Samba star, who is one goal behind upcoming opponent James Rodriguez in the battle for the tournament’s Golden Boot, went against the rules when confirming his recent fitness issues are nothing to worry about, reported by Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail:

The incident comes after world governing body FIFA struck an agreement with Sony for the rights during the month-long showpiece.

[…] Players from all 32 competing countries were told they mustn’t wear Beats’ product during media briefings and on matchdays. They were all sent free pairs of Sony’s gear to wear, but few have been spotted using them.

Uncredited/Associated Press

Neymar starred in a popular Beats advert before the competition began, placing him in a difficult position between personal sponsors and those who have struck a deal with FIFA. His decision to stick with the product he previously promoted only forces a stronger impact on potential buyers, according to marketing expert Ellen Petry Leanse, via Gaughan.

“When fans see World Cup athletes wearing Beats in their downtime, by choice, it has as much impact as seeing them lace their Adidas (boots) or sip a sponsored beverage,” said Petry Leanse, who used to hold chief executive positions at both Apple and Google.

FIFA does have precedent when dealing with players who flaunt brands in situations they should refrain from. Back in 2012, former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner was fined £80,000 and banned for one match after exposing his Paddy Power-encrusted underwear during an international showing with Denmark.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Neymar’s similar offence obviously wasn’t on the pitch, but it does rebel against laws specifically set by FIFA for the current tournament.

Such behaviour, and the tendency to dominate the spotlight, is exactly why Fulham manager Felix Magath recently said he wouldn’t take the Brazilian forward to Craven Cottage.

The opinionated boss said, “I probably wouldn’t even take him for free,” during an interview with German television channel ZDF, per Kit Holden of the Daily Mail.

He prefers “team players” in the shape of Thomas Mueller and Bastian Schweinsteiger, not those who are famed for winning matches with a moment of individual brilliance. He may also prefer those who steer clear of infuriating the authorities by wearing banned products during FIFA-related functions.

Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Neymar’s play at the World Cup has acted as an advert for what makes him one of the tournament’s most exciting individuals. Blessed with tremendous pace and the grace to dribble through defenders without being touched, he is Brazil’s main threat across the forward line. Although Chile marked him out of the game during the recent round-of-16 tie, he held his nerve to score a crucial penalty.

Luiz Felipe Scolari will certainly hope FIFA turns a blind eye to the incident in which Neymar is sure to get a stern telling off.

Without him, Felipao’s team would struggle to maintain the same intense tempo and consistent threat down the left. Brazil face a difficult test against Colombia in Friday’s quarter-final showing, a match in which Neymar will hope to find his rhythm once more.

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Source: Bleacher Report

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