“No juju in sports, the secret is hard training and discipline” - Professor Azumah Nelson guides Team Ghana

Former World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight and super featherweight champion Azumah Nelson has urged Ghanaian athletes to embrace discipline, hard work and self-belief as they prepare for the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The boxing legend made the remarks after being unveiled as an Ambassador of the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) Ghana during a ceremony outlining the country's preparations for the multi-sport event.

Addressing athletes and officials, Nelson stressed that success in sports can only be achieved through dedication and discipline, encouraging members of Team Ghana to compete with confidence and without fear of their opponents.

"There is no shortcut to success in sports. Athletes must work hard, remain disciplined and believe in themselves," Nelson said. "Do not be intimidated by your competitors. Remember that you are champions representing a great nation called Ghana."

The former world champion reflected on his own sporting journey, recalling how he missed the 1980 Olympic Games following the boycott by several African nations in protest against apartheid in South Africa.

Despite that setback, Nelson said he went on to achieve greatness in professional boxing.

"I however became a world champion when I turned professional and reigned for ten solid years," he told attendees at the press conference held at the Central Hotel in Ridge, Accra.

Nelson also paid tribute to former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings, who served as team manager during his amateur boxing days. According to the boxing icon, Rawlings played a key role in ensuring athletes were well cared for and properly fed during training camps ahead of international competitions.

During the event, CGA Ghana President Richard Akpokavie officially introduced Nelson and former Ghanaian athletics star Margaret Simpson as ambassadors of the association. He challenged Team Ghana to draw inspiration from the achievements of the two sporting legends and strive for podium finishes at the Games.

Meanwhile, President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), Dauda Fuseni, expressed confidence in the country's boxing prospects. He revealed that the Black Bombers have shown significant improvement in training and believes the team is capable of winning gold medals in Glasgow.

Fuseni disclosed that 10 boxers are currently in camp in Winneba as part of their preparations. The team is expected to travel to the United Kingdom soon to acclimatise to the weather conditions before the start of the competition.

Among the boxers in camp are Mubarak Amarh, Desmond Pappoe, Ebenezer Ankrah, James Okoh, Mathias Ashitey and Amadu Mohammed. Heavyweights Asiedu and Daniel Pappoe are also preparing alongside female boxers from the Black Hitters team, including Ramatu Quaye and Nancy.

The Commonwealth Games bring together athletes from member nations of the Commonwealth, including Ghana, Australia, Nigeria, India, Canada, Jamaica and Kenya. The event remains one of the world's premier multi-sport competitions, featuring participants from more than 70 countries and territories across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.