HMD Odyssey joins previously announced VR headsets and hand controllers from Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer and Asus to form the launch hardware line-up for Microsoft’s new Mixed Reality platform.

Unlike earlier PC-based VR kit, the new products are able to track their wearers’ movements in a room without requiring additional external sensors.

But experts have questioned whether the market will support so many brands.

Until now, HTC’s Vive and Facebook’s Oculus Rift have had most of the market in high-end PC-based VR headsets to themselves.

But the two firms had only sold a combined total of just over one million headsets by the end of June, according to SuperData Research.

Image copyrightMICROSOFT

Both have cut their prices in recent months in an attempt to stimulate demand.

By contrast, Samsung’s more basic Gear VR – which works with some of its smartphones – had sold more than eight million units, according to the same market research.

“VR is still a very youthful medium,” commented Kevin Joyce, editor-in-chief of the news site VR Focus.

“There’s a number of significant barriers to entry – price, lack of variety in software collections etc – all of which are slowly being addressed.

“But in the short term, I do think we’ll see some of the hardware manufacturers in the current race fall before the final hurdle [since some] will want a return on their investment sooner rather than later.”

Halo VR

Microsoft hosted an event in San Francisco to mark the release of a new version of Windows 10 on 17 October that supports new virtual and augmented reality capabilities.

Image copyrightMICROSOFT

The firm uses the term “mixed reality” to refer to both VR experiences, which are based solely in computer-generated worlds, as well as AR, which mixes graphics and real-world views together.

Samsung’s headset was pitched as a premium way to experience VR, thanks to it featuring higher-resolution OLED (organic light-emitting diode) displays than the other new kit. It also has a slightly wider field-of-view and integrated headphones.

However, its $499 (£425) price makes it more expensive and it will go on sale a month later in November.

Image copyrightMICROSOFT

Other announcements included:

• Microsoft has acquired AltSpaceVR, a virtual reality-based social media platform. It had announced its closure earlier in the year only to reverse the decision without explanation later
• the release of Halo Recruit, a “brief” VR experience set in the firm’s sci-fi video game world. It will be given away free later this month

Microsoft is also developing an AR-based headset that does not require a separate PC called the HoloLens. But a prototype sold to developers costs £2,719 and there was no update as to when it will get a mass-market release.

One industry-watcher suggested that consumers tempted to invest in Microsoft and its partners’ VR tech should wait a while before making a purchase.

“The launch of all of those head mounted displays will create a lot of competition and possibly price aggressiveness in this space in the coming holiday season,” Annette Zimmermann from the consultancy Gartner told the BBC.

“Until now all PC vendors were linking their high-end devices with Oculus or HTC headsets.

“With their own headsets available, it is likely that they will focus on promoting bundles with their own devices.”

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Source: BBC

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Rahman, who is a former Kotoko player, completed the move on Wednesday after going through his medicals.

Details of the move are undisclosed but the player will be wearing the number 12 jersey for Augsburg who finished 8th in last season’s German league.

Rahman will be replacing Matthias Ostrzolek who is going to Hamburg and the authorities at Augsburg are delighted with Ghanaian’s arrival.

“We are delighted to have taken Abdul Rahman Baba under contract. We are convinced that his sporting qualities fit in with our team. He is a young player who has the potential to develop and he also wants to prove himself in the Bundesliga,” said Stefan Reuter, the club’s Managing Director in an interview with the club’s official website.

Rahman himself was pleased with the switch and said:

“I am glad that the transfer worked out, because I again get the chance to play in the Bundesliga. I am sure that Augsburg will give me a very huge opportunity for me to develop here.”

Rahman joins the team with some experience after playing 20 times for Greuther Fürth in the 2012-13 German Bundesliga season.

By: Nathan Quao/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Herbert Addo was born on 24 June 1951 in Accra and hails from Aburi Konkonduri in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He is currently the coach of Hearts of Oak and has coached over 15 different clubs in his career winning the Ghana Premier League on two occasions with two different clubs and also guided Black Stars to win the WAFU Championship for national teams in 1986 and 1987. Some of the notable clubs coached by Addo are Hasaacas, Asante Kotoko, Ashanti Gold, Hearts of Oak, Aduana Stars, Inter Allies, and so on.

Educational background

Herbert Addo is one of the pioneers of Christ the King School in Accra and at age 10 he was sent to England, where he happened to be in a prep school called Holmewood House School at Cambridge Wells in Kings. The likes of Nana Akuffo Addo, 2008 and 2012 presidential candidate for NPP, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey former Chairman of NPP also attended this same school.

He had his college education at Lancing College in Briton, which also happens to be the college attended by Akuffo Addo, before moving to Avery Hill College of Education, which is part of the London Universities, specializing in Physical Education (PE) and English.

From the College of Eucation, Herbert Addo started his teaching career at Packham Manor Secondary School in South East London and taught English and Physical education for 5 years.

As a Sportsman

Herbert Addo was a sports person and he engaged in multiple of sporting events while in school. He played squash to an international level, winning the British Junior Championships at the under 14 and 18 levels. Herbert also played Cricket to a very high level and was a good footballer as well, captaining the English Public schools from 1966 to 1967.  Addo also played for a semi professional football club called Calshalton fc with the coach of England, Roy Hodgson.

Coaching career

As a Physical Educationist, Herbert Addo started coaching Youth teams and South East London Schools in 1969, but he had his first training course in 1972 at Avery Hills, with the legendary English coach Roy Hodgson.

His return to Ghana and time with NSC and SS 74

Herbert Addo returned to his country of birth, Ghana in 1978 and continued his coaching career and he was employed by the National Sports Council (NSC), which is now the National Sports Authority (NSA).  He was also appointed as the coach of SS 74 in 1978 and remained there till 1981, when the club was disbanded. Some of the players, who played under him were Oti Akenten, who is now the technical director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kuntu Blankson (ex-Black Stars player), Chisco Abdulai  (ex-Black Stars player), Sam Ampeh ((ex-Black Stars player), etc.

Fankobaah and Okwawu United

Herbert Addo was then after hired as the coach of Fankobaah, before he took over Okwawu United, who were then in the 2 tier of Ghana league, which was division 2  and qualified them to the 1 division (top tier, then).

Hasaacas Sekondi

From Okwawu United, Herbert Addo was appointed as coach of Hasaacas and he guided them to win the West African Football Union (WAFU) Championship in 1982 in his first year. He stayed on with Hasaacas from 1982 to 1985 and some of the players, who passed through his hands were Isaac Paha, was his skipper, Justice Moore, John Essien Naana Eshun, Kofi Abbrey, Robert Couffie, Emmanuel Quarshie,  Olabode Williams, Kwame Sampson  all former Black Stars players, Tandoh, Sly Tetteh and many more.

Cornerstones

In 1985 Addo took over at corners Stones, helping them win the WAFU Championships in 1987, with Frimpong Manso (ex Black Stars player as his skipper). Other players who helped him champion his course at Corners were Emmanuel Ampiah, Gariba Ibrahim, Odame Ampomah, Ibrahim Safianu, Kwadwo Sumaila, Thomas Boakye, Tony Yeboah and P.M.K Kusi, all of Black Stars fame.

He then moved to Kotoko in 1987/88 season and in 1988 he resigned from the National Sports Council (NSC), after 10 years of active service, to take up a coaching job in Gabon at Shell fc, winning the knockout and placed second in the league, with 9 of his players earning call-up to the Gabonese national team.

Second return to Ghana

Herbert Addo was back again in the country coaching Great Olympics, before he took over second division side Ghapoha and guided them to the premier league, with the like of Eben Dida, Edward AnsahBen Fokuo in the thick of events.

Addo then left Ghapoha and joined Ashanti Gold fc in 1994, as assistant but later took full charge of the team and led them to the final of the maiden CAF Champions League, losing on penalties to Raja Casablanca of Morocco. Some of the players were, Nobembe Wake, Kouassi Tousedji, both Togolese import, who played for their national, Kone Ibrahimah (Ivorian import, Sammy Adjei, Joe Okyere, Nana Arhin Duah, Agyemang Duah, Tony Arhinful, Lawrence Adjei, Joe Okyere, all ex-Black Stars players. He left Ashgold in 1997.

Herbert Addo also had time with clubs like Samatex, All Blacks,  Kpando Heart of Lions, etc.

In late 2002, he was appointed to replace the legendary Jones Attuquayefio as coach of Hearts of Oak and he won the league in his first season. In 2003, although his side was unbeaten in the league, they failed to clinch the trophy, becoming the first club to go unbeaten without winning the league. In early 2004, Hearts of Oak parted ways with him.

Addo had a second spell with the Porcupine Warriors mid-way in the 2008/09 league season, helping them give Hearts of Oak a good chase to place second on the league log, after going 10 matches without a defeat.

He joined newly promoted side Aduana Stars in 2009 and helped them with the league in their first season, becoming the first newly promoted team to do so in 2009/10.

Herbert Addo left the Dormaa based side after losing favour with the club’s hierarchy.

He joined Wassaman mid-way through the season, but couldn’t help them beat relegation in the 2012/13 season. From there he joined B.A United to guide them to the middle league, but due to the death of his wife, could not coach them during the middle league.

His last job before taking up this Hearts of Oak gig was Inter Allies, after they had lost their first 6 matches in the league. He took over at week 7 and lost, however he succeeded to enable them avoid relegation, becoming the first club to beat relegation in the premier league after they had lost their first 7 matches and he also help them finish second in the FA Cup.

National team job

Herbert Addo was engaged as coach of the National Sports Council (NSC) in 1978 and remained there till 1988. He was appointed to assist Emmanuel Afranie at the Black Stars, complimenting his effort to win the WAFU Championship for the national team in 1983. In 1986 he was then the head coach of the Black Stars, when Ghana hosted and won the WAFU Championship, with Abedi Pele, the only foreign based player in the team as his captain. Addo again won the WAFU in 1987 in Liberia and the team was captained by Opoku Nti. In 2011 he qualified Ghana for the African Nations Championships (CHAN) in Sudan.

Fast facts

-Herbert Addo was the first Ghanaian coach to win the WAFU club championship in 1982

-He is the first Ghanaian coach to play in the final of the CAF Champions League in 1997, which was the maiden edition and his side Ashgold lost on penalties.

-Herbert Addo is one of the two coaches to have won the Ghana Premier League with two different clubs, Hearts in 2002 and Aduana Stars in 2009/10, which is only matched by Emmanuel Afranie.

-He is also one of the four coaches to win the Ghana premier League for at least two times, with only Jones Attuquafio winning more.

-Addo won the league in his first season at Hearts of Oak in 2002

-In 2003, Addo played a complete season without a defeat, becoming the first coach to do so, but unfortunately failed to win the league. In 1970 Olympics went unbeaten and subsequently won the league, however it was a novelty league.

-He became the first coach to  guide a newly promoted club (Aduana Stars) to a league triumph in 2009/10 and they also kept clean sheets in all the 15 home matches played, a record in Ghana league,

-He became the first coach to guide a team to beat relegation after losing all their first 7 matches. He took charge of Inter Allies on match day 6 and lost the 7th week game, however they pulled a great surprise by finishing 8 on the league log.

-He also led Inter Allies to the final of the MTN FA Cup, but lost 2-1 in the extra time to Kotoko.

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Source: AllSports.com.gh

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In the the shortlist released by the FA Cup Committee (FACC) on Thursday, two players from Kotoko, Abeiku Ainooson and Issah Yakubu, are in line for the Best Player Award in the tournament.

The duo are joined in the running for the main prize by Elvis Opoku of Gold Stars and Bechem United’s Augustine Okrah

Also up for grabs is the award for coach of the year which has FA cup-winning coach, Didi Dramani in the running, along with the coach of runners-up Inter Allies,Herbert Addo, John Kila of Feyernood FC and King Faisal’s Prince Acheampong.

Other awards to be presented on the night include Discovery of the Year, Best Goalkeeper, Best Defender and the Goal of the Tounament.

Th awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on the evening of August 9 at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra.

The nomination continues the tradition of officially recognising the impact made by footballers and Clubs who participated in the Cup competition.

Asante Kotoko won the FA Cup after beating Inter Allies to record their 8th Cup success.

FA Cup Awards categories and nominees

Defender Of The Year

1. Abeiku Ainooson – Asante Kotoko
2. Joseph Aidoo – Inter Allies
3. Lassana Coulibaly – Feyernood Fc
4. Emmanuel Akuoku – Aduana Stars

Goalkeeper Of The Year

1. Osei Kwame – Inter Allies
2. Joseph Addo – Asante Kotoko
3. Benjamin Mensah – New Edubiase
4. Theophilus Jackson – Feyernood FC

Top Scorer Of The Year

Elvis Opoku – Gold Stars – 7 Goals

Highest Scoring Club Of The Year

Asante Kotoko – 17 Goals

Referee Of The Year
1. Seidu Bomison
2. Daniel Laryea
3. Patrick Kyeremanteng

Assistant Referee Of The Year

1. Ibrahim Adam
2. Dawood Wadrago
3. Ashitey Armah

Promising Referees Of The Year
1. Maxwel Hason
2. Anafo Nathan
3. Prince Amoah

Coach Of The Year

1. Didi Dramani – Asante Kotoko
2. Herbert Addo – Inter Allies
3. John Kila – Feyernood FC
4. Prince Acheampong – King Faisal

Discovery Of The Year

1. Elvis Opoku – Gold Stars
2. Benjamin Tetteh – Mighty Jets
3. Patrick Kpozo – Inter Allies
4. Lassana Coulibaliy – Feyernoord FC

Best Player Of The Year

1. Elvis Opoku – Gold Stars
2. Augustine Okrah – Bechem United
3. Abeiku Ainooson –Asante Kotoko
4. Issah Yakubu –Asante Kotoko

Also awards will be handed out in the following categories:

Best Goal Of The Tournament
Fair Play
Special Awards

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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In a statement on its official website, the GFA said that its Emergency Commitee had, quoting “article 10(2) of the General Regulations to back its decision,” branded the Kumasi-based club the ultimate champions for the season.

The winners of the Premier league traditionally face the winners of the FA Cup in a Super Cup match.

However, with Kotoko winning both competitions last season, the GFA has decided to name them “automatic champions.”

Article 10 (2) of the general Regulations state that the Ghana Football Association “may, however also, organize a ceremonial match between the club and either the runners up in the league or FA Cup for the purpose of awarding the trophy.”

The GFA has not, as yet, set a date for the match to officially award Kumasi Asante Kotoko the trophy.

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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“I am pleading with the supporters of the club to refrain from such acts and rather leave the handling of such issues to club  management in future to enable the proper processes to be implemented in addressing such situations,” he told Citi Sports.

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