Amateur Boxing Federation explains no show at African championship

Accra, June 14, GNA - The Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) has explained Ghana's no show at the ongoing African Seniors Boxing Championship in Yaounde, Cameroon.

The Black Bombers did not travel for the continental championship despite the qualification of 10 boxers at the zonal championship held last month in Lome, Togo.

Faisal Pelpuo, General Secretary of GABF told GNA Sports that the team's non-participation was as a result of the continuous change in the schedule for the competition by the organizers.

The GABF Scribe explained that the organizers rescheduled the tournament twice and the developments made it difficult to plan their programme for the championship.

"Initially they fixed it for 2-12 June, 2011 and when we were finalizing our plans, it was rescheduled."

Following the short notice regarding the second date, he said the President of the Association, Ray Quarcoo was prepared to fund the trip to be reimbursed by Government later, only to encounter challenges with air transport to Cameroon.

Pelpuo said that the only option was for the team to go through Togo in batches, but that move did not also materialize due to some technical reasons beyond their control.

Disappointed at the inability to participate, Pelpuo said they subsequently informed the continental body of their withdrawal. The Black Bombers won about seven medals during the last championship in Mauritius in 2010.

The championship also served as a qualifier for the World Championships to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in September.