Minister commends NSC for promoting boxing

Sunyani, (B/A) June 13, GNA - The Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Nana Kwadwo Kwakye on Thursday commended the National Sports Council for putting up interventions to promote the development of boxing in the country.

"The efforts of the Council to promote boxing as a sporting discipline through the organisation of annual championship and boxing leagues are steps in the right direction which needs to be encouraged and supported", he added . Nana Kwakye made the commendation at the opening ceremony of this year's Inter-Regional Amateur boxing championship currently underway in regional capital, Sunyani.

The four-day tournament would feature 60 boxers drawn from all the 10 regions of the country.

Nana Kwakye noted with concern that the Council has often been criticized for its over-concentration on football to the detriment of other sporting activities, adding that the move in promoting boxing was therefore in the right direction as it would help uplift the image of the sport in the international community.

The Deputy Regional Minister said that the Brong-Ahafo Region had contributed immensely towards the growth of the country's sporting activities but regretted that "the area which had largely been neglected in the field of sports in the region is boxing".

Nana Kwakye said boxing was one of the disciplines that helps to bring about unity and urged the participants to cooperate and exhibit a high sense of professionalism to make the event a success. "We need to inculcate in us a sense of discipline throughout the championship", he added and advised the boxers to eschew all forms of unhealthy practices such a drug abuse and alcoholism that could ruined their lives.

Prince Ernest Oduro-Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the National Sports Council noted that the fallen standard of the nation's sports was due to the inability to unearth sporting talents at the grassroots adding that the Council was desirous in ensuring that boxing talents were uncovered and developed into achieving succeed.

He said the time has come for the country to pay equal attention to the various disciplines in sports especially the lesser known ones by developing them to promote the interest of the younger generation. Prince Oduro-Mensah implored the general public to support the Council to achieve its target in the development of sports. Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, Omanhene of Sunyani Traditional Council assured the participants of maximum security and advised them to desist from any practices that could mar the event. 13 June 08