Black Bombers leave for Ireland as Ghana targets historic Commonwealth Games success

Ghana's national amateur boxing team, the Black Bombers, have departed Accra for an intensive training camp in Ireland ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The team left Ghana with 17 days remaining before the opening ceremony of the Games, which will run from July 23 to August 2 in Scotland.

The early departure forms part of a joint strategy by the Commonwealth Games Association of Ghana (CGA) and the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) to maximize the team's chances of success.

GBF President Dauda Fuseni expressed confidence in the team's preparation, stating that the extended training period had allowed coaches to fine-tune the boxers' skills.

"This very edition, the boxers have prepared exceptionally well. Having them in camp for three full months has given the coaches the time to perfect their techniques," team leaderFuseni stated. "They tested their strength by outclassing Nigeria in May and are now leaving early enough to finalize their training abroad. We have given them the most comprehensive build-up in recent memory, and we have every reason to be confident” he stated .

GBF Second Vice-President Solomon Otoo Lartey set ambitious expectations, saying the federation is targeting at least three gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals in Glasgow.

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Head coach Dr Ofori Asare described the overseas camp as a tactical necessity rather than a luxury, explaining that the focus will be on improving reaction time, maintaining ideal weight categories, and ensuring the athletes are mentally prepared for elite competition.

"Going 17 days early won’t be luxury; it’s a tactical necessity," Coach Asare explained. "We are working on fine-tuning their reaction times, maintaining optimal weight classes, and ensuring mental focus. The technical team has studied the global landscape, and we are fixing every loose end in Ireland before we cross the border into Scotland”he added.   Assistant team captain Amadu Mohammed said the squad is highly motivated after months of preparation, while women's captain Ramatu Quaye stressed that the female boxers are determined to make a strong statement on the international stage.

The Black Bombers squad comprises seven male and three female boxers, led by team captain Abdul Wahid Omar, with Dr Ofori Asare serving as head coach.

PAH/JE

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