*2010 SWAG award nominees, Lawrence Nyanyo Mmai and Joseph Mingle now known as Nii Mankralo of Sakaman, have appealed to companies and individuals who want sports to grow in Ghana to support the least financed disciplines like kickboxing.*
Talking to yours truly in an interview at the Accra Sports Hall, they disclosed that its very tough if one trains hard day and night and has no competition because their association has no funds to organize any championships.
They said their chosen field is kickboxing and are keen to raise the flag of Ghana high any where they go but nothing will become possible unless they receive monetary and motivational support.
“We have done it before so many times and we want to do it again, but lack of support for basic logistics has hindered our progress,” said Lawrence Nyanyo, the heavyweight fighter who has won many medals and belts in various versions of martial arts.
Nii Mankralo of Sakaman noted that not everybody can play football to the Black Stars level, so some sportsmen and women who have chosen other disciplines should be encouraged to come out with their best performances and also win laurels for Ghana. He said the nation has vast talents in many fields so everyone should be supported once he or she can perform to the world level.
Nii Manralo added that by trying hard to attend and compete at international events have given them added experience which they want to share with others in the sport.
They congratulated the National Sports Authority and the executives of the Ghana Kickboxing Association who work hard daily to ensure that the sport is alive in Ghana and the Austria Embassy’s Consular in Ghana for her motivation, support and advice.
