Benin Boxing Federation to host Black Bombers

in friendly Amateur Boxing Tournament

The National Amateur Boxing Team, the Black Bombers will travel to Cotonou – Benin on Thursday, 16th February, 2012 to compete with their Beninois counterparts in a friendly Boxing Tournament as part of preparations towards the Africa Olympic Qualifier scheduled for 27th April - 6th May, 2012.

The initiative which is being spearheaded by Federation’s President, Ambassador Ray Quarcoo is meant to condition the Team ahead of the Olympic Qualifier as they test their strengths against one of the strongest sides in West Africa.

The National Team will be competing in eight (8) weight categories for men and one (1) weight category for women as follows:

1. Sulemanu Tetteh - 49Kg

2. Annang Ampiah - 52Kg

3. Jessie Lartey Lartey - 56Kg

4. Musah Rahman Lawson - 60Kg

5. Benjamin Lamptey - 64Kg

6. Azumah Mohammed - 69Kg

7. Emmanuel Martey - 75Kg

8. David Bawa - 81Kg

9. Rose Awate - 46Kg – women

As part of negotiations between the two Federations, a return match will be hosted by the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) from 4th to 7th March, 2012 in Accra – Ghana.

In the meantime, the GABF has already arranged a joint training programme with the Gabon Amateur Boxing Team which is scheduled for 25th February – 7th March, 2012 in Accra - Ghana.

As such the Gabon Team will join Ghana and Benin in a three-Nation Tournament from 4th – 7th March, 2012 in Accra.

Also, the Executive body of the Federation, is engaged in a drafting programme to pool together young talented Ghanaian born boxers across the world. As key objectives, this programme is specifically designed for the development of amateur boxing on the same model as the national soccer teams are constituted and is opened to all Ghanaians with boxing skills across the world. If well executed, performances of our boxers at international competitions will be enhanced.

Interestingly, the Federation has already drafted four British -born Ghanaians boxers, namely: Isaac Dogboe(56Kg), Michael Amoo-Bediako (60 kg), Lerrone Richards(75Kg) and Joshua Buatsi (81 kg) who will join their compatriots in preparations for the Olympic qualifier.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Black Bombers will return to Ghana on 19th February, 2012.

SIGNED

Dominic Kankam

Secretary General