Joseph Agbeko laments interference in Black Bombers selection

Joseph King Kong Agbeko

Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight champion, Joseph King Kong Agbeko, has criticised the leadership of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) for trying to influence selections into the Black Bombers for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next month.

Agbeko told the Graphic Sports that the amateur boxing body must rescind its controversial decision to ditch Theophilus Allotey from the national team despite the boxer winning gold at the individual championship to select a team for the July 28 – August 8 competition.

The former world champion believes Allotey remains one of Ghana’s surest bets to win a medal in Birmingham, if he is allowed to participate.

Allotey was said to have been replaced by Yaw Addo on the nine-member Black Bombers team for the games with sources close to the GBF saying the latter was preferred due to experience.

“These things [interference in team selection] must stop in this modern era and I believe we need to reward hard work as a country to eliminate such practices.

“Theophilus Allotey has worked hard to win gold at the individual championship, so how do you overlook him for someone else? This is not right and must be reversed,” lamented Agbeko.

“I have watched this boxer train and I believe he is one of Ghana’s surest bets to win a medal in Birmingham, if we allow him to compete.”

Meanwhile, sources have told the paper that the GBF was in the process of ensuring Allotey gets the chance to compete in Birmingham next month.

It is, however, unclear whether the Ghana Olympic Committee will rectify the anomaly and replace Addo with Allotey as required by the GBF.

“As it stands now, a directive has been sent to the GOC to ensure Allotey gets the nod but he is yet to get his visa. The only thing left is to wait and see what happens.”