“I expect Ghana Boxing to do well, with the election of new executives in the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) and Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) I think they want to succeed with their new plans and ideas, we will always be there to support to make Ghana Boxing better” said three star rated Coach Ofori Asare in an exclusive interview with Yours Truly.
He called on Boxing people and the government to support the new leaders in Ghana Boxing so that the game and business develops to be one of the best in the world.
Coach Asare urged the people in the helm of affairs in boxing to unite and work together. He wished that Ghanaians will take up positions at the international level, so that they will be at the decision making level, at Africa and world level.
According to the man who led the Black Bombers to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games to clinch a bronze medal through Samuel Takyi, Ghana still has potential for world champions like Richard Commey, Isaac Dogboe Joseph Agbeko and Emmanuel Tagoe.
He named other young pugilists like Jessie Manyo Plange, Alfred Lamptey, Emmanuel Martey, Octupus Dzanie, Sherrif Quaye and experienced Bastie Samir, Obodai Sai, George Ashie, Michael Ansah aka One Bullet, who are capable of becoming world champions, because they have capability and can explode in their prime time before they fade away.
He was happy with the new title belts introduced by the GBA and suggested that national champions should be allowed to defend and go for other continental titles, like Africa and Commonwealth belts.
He said a star boxer like former IBF Lightweight champion, Richard Commey who lost to Ukranian Olympic champion Lomachenko should not be discouraged, but must have the vim and determination to return better and bigger.
He was optimistic that Ghana can do well at both professional and amateur stages, so experienced boxers should be supported to come back and represent the nation.
He hinted that winning an Olympic medal for the first time in over 40 years is no mean achievement, and people involved in boxing must be respected.
He called for encouragement, recognition, appreciation and monuments for great sports men especially boxing heroes, so that they can do it again and also encourage their children to continue.
He suggested that there should be a new look at boxing because boxing has made Ghana proud, as they swept most of the awards at the last SWAG awards.
He appealed to the media to support with historical facts and figures to make generations know what Boxing people have done.
Coach Asare disclosed that there would be a ‘Justify Your Inclusion’ Event at the D. G.Hathiramani Sports Hall of the Accra Sports Stadium from February 15 to 17, 2022 to pick boxers for the Black Bombers who will be selected to represent Ghana at the next Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
He revealed that so many things go into the selection, so potential amateur champions must come well prepared with their fight records, passports, medical reports and others.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
