Ghana to host Africa boxing championship

Accra, Aug 22, GNA -- The Africa Boxing Confederation (ABC) has asked Ghana to consider hosting the 2007 edition of the Africa Boxing Championship as part of efforts to enable the nation to reclaim its lost glory in the sport and also improve its facilities.

"It's been over 40 years now since you hosted the event and we are giving you an opportunity to stage it, because Ghana is one of the countries with abundant talents on the continent, but have been left unexplored.

Dr Abdallah Bessalem, President of ABC said this when he met the Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Papa Owusu Ankomah as part of his two day visit to Ghana.

He said that the 2007 championship is an important one because it will serve as the qualifier for the 2007 All Africa Games, the Olympic Games and the World Championships, hence the need for Ghana to take advantage of it.

The President said Ghana was once a giant in the sport on the continent and the world at large but has over the years seen constant decline and staging the championship will therefore provide the nation with the right platform to unearth talents and subsequently reclaim its lost glory.

According Dr Bessalem, the championship will also help improve boxing facilities in the country as the Confederation is ever prepared to support the local association with technical and logistical support to achieve success.

"Having visited some gyms in the country, I realised that almost all of them, lacked the needed facilities to develop and promote the sport, hence it will be a great advantage to improve upon them by hosting the rest of the continent."

Dr Bessalem said the championship will also revive the enthusiasm of Ghanaians in the sport, describing it as the most important event at the Olympics.

He said boxing has for the past years played a dominant role in all international games and cannot be ignored by Ghana, especially when the nation abounds with great potentials.

Papa Owusu Ankomah, the sector minister in response, said government was ever ready to help develop all sporting disciplines in the country and will offer any kind of support to the championship if it should be hosted by Ghana.

The Minister said the required consultations will be done as the nation prepares to host the rest of Africa.

Mr R.O. Lamptey, General Secretary of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) said the Association will soon commence discussions with the appropriate quarters to make the preparations for the championship begin in earnest.

"All things being equal, the championship will be held early next year.