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Other Sports of Friday, 4 August 2006

Source: GNA

Selection of potential kick-boxers slated for Monday

Accra, Aug. 4, GNA 96 The selection of potential Ghanaian kick-boxers who will be groomed to pursue careers in the oriental sport in Japan will take place at the Prisons Canteen on Monday, August 7.

The event will commence at 10:00 a.m. with the examination and scrutiny of interested participants by a panel of judges who will accept or reject the would-be boxers based on their ages, conditioning, durability and natural cast.

The panel of judges consists of Dr Christian, Project Consultant, Lt. Col. John Sharpe Rtd., former chairman of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Association, Mr Amadu Idrissu, a Director of Afro Orient Company, Ataa Eddie pappoe, a high ranking international ring official with WBC and WBA acknowledgements and Mr Adams Moro Bankalou, a boxing coach.

Mr Jonas Ahene-Truly, Regional Vice President of World Boxing Association (Africa) and Mr Solomon Lartey, a karate coach complete the panel.

Commenting on the event on Friday, Dr Kpodar said all was set for the selection process on Monday.

He said Remix Models and Bukuro Gym both of Japan have in collaboration with Afro Orient Company of Ghana addressed logistics issues concerning the selection.

Dr Kpodar said the 40 potential kick boxers who would be selected would commence basic conversion training later in the year before the best performers are chosen to pursue their careers in Japan.

He said on Monday, video tapes of kickboxing would be played throughout the morning session to enable those interested in the sport to watch some of the great fights in order to tune their minds towards it.

The Consultant said the Chief Executive of the National Sports

Council (NSC) has been invited to grace the occasion, whiles Mr

B.T. Baba chairman of the Ghana Olympic Committee would the

grand host. He said the afternoon session, which would begin at 2:00 p.m.

and end with a cocktail at 4:00 p.m. would involve only those

potential kick-boxers who would be selected, officials, organisers

and the media. The Consultant said certificates would be given to all qualified

lads to signify their acceptance as would be kick-boxers. He described kickboxing as a noble sport of self defence and

warned those who were trying to kill the initiative to bow their heads

in shame. Dr Kpodar appealed to interested tough guys to seize the

opportunity to begin a profession in kickboxing, which is a mega

buck sport.