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19.07.2008 Boxing

There'll Be Pomp At Azumah's 50th Bash

19.07.2008 LISTEN
By Daily Graphic

Boxing great, Azumah Nelson, will host 500 children from three schools in Accra and Tema tomorrow as he celebrates his 50th birthday.

Born in Accra on July 19, 1958, the boxing 'professor' has become a fan of children who might not have seen his active days in the ring.

At the Afua Sutherland Children's Park tomorrow, the three-time world champion will lead children from the Tema SOS village, Osu Children's Home and the Dzorwulu Special School in a variety of games intended to inculcate in them the spirit of sportsmanship.

The occasion, regarded as special by the boxing legend, will be the first time many of the children may be seeing Azumah, but the champion who still kept Ghanaians by TV when he fought in the June 24 rubber fight with Jeff Fenech maintains that “it's their moment more than mine”.

Already a patron of the three schools, Azumah has been a regular part of their various activities and tomorrow's programme of food, drinks and music is a continuation of the boxer's desire to bring hope to the less fortunate child.

In a project code named Azumah Nelson Foundation, he plans to establish a fund and a school to support needy children and create opportunity for such children who would otherwise be attracted to the streets and into unworthy ventures.

Story by Michael Quaye

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