Govt to give boxing the necessary boost.

Accra, June 10, GNA - Papa Owusu Ankomah, Minister of Education Science and Sports, has acknowledged that boxing could bring more laurels to Ghana, given the right attention and commitment.

He said boxing was one sport that had earned Ghana recognition internationally and made the country proud, bringing her many worthy laurels and placing her distinctively on the world map. Paapa Ankomah was welcoming Mr Stanley Christodoulou, World Boxing Association (WBA) judge and President of the West African Boxing Federation, who was on a four-day working visit to the country to undertake a project: "Help Ghana Boxing Grow".

The Minister, who was full of praise for Mr Christodoulou, as his thoughts "coincide with those of the ministry to unearth boxing talents and to provide them with the necessary facilities, skills and basic fundamentals to urge them on to greater heights". He said the ministry with the backing of government was leaving no stone unturned to give boxing the right attention and the boost it deserved.

The minister underscored the need for vigorous efforts on the part of government to scout for boxing equipment, other kits and professional trainers to bring discipline and hope to the nation's youth struggling to get to the top in the face of inadequate resources and the lack of encouragement.

Mr Christodoulou, expressed satisfaction with his mission saying that boxing and ring officials, promoters as well as the boxers themselves had exhibited immense commitment to the sport despite the challenges.

He said their commitment had emboldened him to pay more frequent visits to the country to share with them new trends in boxing, promising that he was in contact with the world body to seek the necessary assistance for Ghana, which had produced many great boxers. Mr Christodoulou took time off to visit a number of boxing gymnasiums in Accra to acquaint himself with the facilities and conditions under which they train. His observations after the tour were not pleasant but he gave the assurance that he would liaise with other boxing affiliates to help them strengthen their bases to act as a catalyst to ginger them into more serious training to achieve greater heights in the world of boxing. Present at the meeting was the Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports Mr O B Amoah and Mr Moses Fo Amoaming, President the Ghana Boxing Association. 10 June 07