GABF Chief Worried
The president of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF), Ambassador Ray Quarcoo, has returned from the AIBA championship with a feather in his cap- four boxers qualifying for the Olympic Games.
But he is beside himself with worry following some observations he made at the African Olympic event which was held from April 27 to May 6.
Ambassador Quarcoo bemoaned the lack of support international bodies like International Tennis Federation (ITF) gave to its affiliate bodies.
'The tremendous support that international bodies like ITF offer its affiliate bodies is non-existent in AIBA.
'ITF, practically on yearly basis, sends basic equipment as well as instructors to developing federations in Africa to enhance grassroots developmental programmes.
'Black Africa is struggling with the acquisition of basic equipment for the development of boxing. Over the past four years, the GABF has not received a single item (equipment) for grass root development of the sport,' said the GABF chief.
According to Ambassador Quarcoo, AIBA had ignored crucial elements of boxing development as upgrading of technical staff- that is coaches and referees/judges- via refresher courses.
Rather, he said, AIBA had been busy with the staging of international tournaments.
'It is sad that very few Africans can be counted among international technical officials/delegates, all due to the major lack of refresher programmes.
'During AIBA events, officiating is quite questionable as more often than not it goes against black Africans.
'It is very ideal for general weigh-in/ first day of competition should be, at least two days after the team delegations arrival, taking into account scenarios as flight cancellations on the scheduled day of departure like it happened to Ghana,' he added.
He advised that the ECOWAS Games scheduled for June be the right avenue to implement such programmes alongside the event, in order to ensure the growth of coaches and officiating officials who would be participating in the event.