Ghana Boxing Authority to revive ties with Nigeria

Accra, March 3, GNA - The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has proposed the revival of a monthly boxing event with Nigeria as part of efforts to revive the sport between the two countries.

Mr Walter Deku, member of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) made this proposal during a press conference on the Commonwealth Welterweight Championship fight between Ghana' Joshua Okine and Fatau Onikeke of Nigeria.

The fight is being organised as part of Ghana's 48th Independence Anniversary and to be promoted by Ambition and Obric Sala Promotion and Management Limited, which is scheduled for the Azumah Nelson Sports Complex, Kaneshie on Friday, 4 March.

Mr Deku said Ghana used to have monthly and rotational boxing events with Nigeria, which was aimed at unearthing boxing talents for both countries but the idea has died out.

He said that there is the need for the introduction of the events to enable the two countries groom potential world champions and help in reviving the sport in the two West African countries.

Mr Deku told the GNa Sports that the GBA will soon commence discussions with the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) on the possible re-introduction of the programme which dates back to post independence days.

He said "gone are the days when the programme was used to take off children from the streets and through this, many world title materials were produced, but since the sport has now become more lucrative there is the need for us to bring it back".

Mr Deku said the two nations have been denied a lot of opportunities from the international bodies because of poor organisation on their part.

He said South Africa was lagging behind in boxing in the past years but has now overtaken both Ghana and Nigeria and has even benefited from 250,000 dollars from the World Boxing Council (WBC) to improve upon their facilities.

The GBA scribe said both nations have been denied such an opportunity because of the poor organisational structures on the ground and stressed on the need for them to make efforts to improve upon it.

Mr G.C. Kanu, Vice Chairman of the NBF accepted the proposal and said all efforts would be made to expedite action on the revival of the programme.

He said this would enable both countries produce more boxers for the future and lift high the image of Africa in the sport.