Despite the successful hosting of the 'Night of champions' boxing bonanza at the Ohene Djan Stadium last Saturday, Mr. Amin Lamptey, Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) Spokesperson has expressed worry over uninspiring attention accorded the pugilistic sport by public officials.
According to Amin, who was the Master of Ceremony (MC) of the WPBF World Title bout put together by Gold Mike Promotions, the absence of top sports officials both in government and opposition at the event, is enough testament to show the little importance they attach to boxing.
'Football has taken centre stage to the detriment of other sports disciplines, but the officials should know that it is not every sports person who plays soccer.
The boxers – Bukom Banku, Joshua Okine and Albert Mensah have done the nation great honour by winning World titles, but the sports authorities have demonstrated little interest to the sport,' Amin added.
Speaking to this writer in a post-fight interview, an obviously disgruntled Amin pointed out that his outfit has its ears firmly on the ground, awaiting an invitation from the Castle, as done to the footballers.
'I believe what the boxers have done deserve commendation, and we are waiting for an invitation from the Castle to present the titles to the father of the land,' said the GBA scribe.
According to Amin, should their expectations hit the rock, he will rally the boxers as well as lovers of the sport to embark on a demonstration to drum home our concerns.
He revealed that: 'It's unfortunate how our sports authorities pay little attention to a sport that has brought so much honour to this country, the boxers had to be motivated to realize their World title dreams.'
The emotionally stricken GBA scribe noted that there was nothing by way of motivation to the boxers prior to the World title bout, saying 'I believe if it was a football competition, the sports authorities would have motivated or promised the players some financial reward, but the reverse is the case.'
'The well attended programme would have ended abruptly if the rains had come that evening, again the failure to provide a boxing gymnasium speaks volumes about how unimportant the sport is to them,' Amin fumed.
He said his outfit is trying to organize a regional float for the trio, who made Ghana proud in their respective divisions.
Bukom Banku handed his Argentine opponent, Hector Velazco, a ten round knockout in their World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) Light heavyweight championship.
Albert Mensah defeated Russia's Karen Tevosiyan to become the WPBF Super light weight champion, while Joshua Okine managed a win of over his Uzbek opponent, Muhammad Abdullae, with a unanimous point decision.
