GBA must license independent agents - Assandoh

Accra, April 28, GNA - Mr Peter Assandoh, Technical Director of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has said it would be in the overall interest of professional boxing in the country if the GBA recognised and licensed all Ghanaian agents connected with the sport.

In a memorandum he submitted to the GBA after returning from Scotland where he accompanied Kpakpo Allotey for a Commonwealth title fight, the technical director said he realised in the UK that two Ghanaians, Mr Azumah Coffie and Mr Ahene Truly were agents of "the Boxing Tournament Board" whereas the GBA knew nothing about it. He said he was further informed that it was the responsibility of Mr Coffie "to see to it that any boxing tournament which would be held in the UK was orderly done."

Mr Assandoh said he was surprised that the promoter of the fight Thommy Gilmore was not available to address their needs but instead, such responsibility fell to Mr Coffie who was assisted by Mr Truly who accompanied them on the trip from Accra.

The technical director said the Ghanaian duo took Kpakpo through the medical process and arranged accommodation for them on behalf of the promoter.

He said based on his experience in the UK, he felt the need to ask the GBA to recognise and license Mr Coffie and Mr Truly and notify the British Boxing Board "so that they can work together as a team since most managers do not know the means to acquire international fights for their boxers."

Mr Assandoh said if the two agents were licensed, the overseas partners would realise that they were working for the GBA and not for themselves and would accord them more respect, which would "strengthen the GBA and the boxers as well." 28 April 04