Black Bombers appeal to Mahama for support

Officials of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) are making a last-minute appeal to President John Dramani Mahama to come to their aid with funds to enable the Black Bombers make it to the AIBA world championship in Doha, Qatar which starts on Monday or the country face the unprecedented shame of missing out on next year's Olympic Games.

Ghana boxing have been ever-present at the Olympic Games since Ike Quartey Snr won the country's first medal in 1964 but faces the ignominy of missing out on Rio 2016 for the first time ever because with just few days to the commencement of the world championship which also serves as the qualification to Brazil next year, the Black Bombers still don't have the means to travel.

Four boxers who have qualified for the world championship, Sulemanu Tetteh, Annan Ampiah Akimos, David Bawa and Musa Rahman Lawson have been camping at the Nationa Hockey Stadium for the past week but GABF officials are still at a loss where funding will come for the team to travel to Qatar.

According to Gideon Quartey, President of GABF, both the National Sports Authority and Sports Ministry have been adamant regarding finance of the team whose feeding in camp at the moment is currently being taken care of from the pockets of the executives of the Federation.

"This competition starts only on Monday and we need to be there at least some few days before it starts so we can get used to the weather and other things but up to now we've heard nothing from the sports authorities," Gideon Quartey told Allsports.com.gh exclusively.

"They want to say boxing shouldn't go to the Oympic Games or what? I'm too disapointed in what is happening, I can't imagine something like this can happen," an obviously baffled Mr. Quartey continued.

"So we appeal to President Mahama to intervene himself and help us out because our participation in Rio Olympics is at stake. At least the airtickets, participation fee and per diem for the boys to take care of hotel accommodation there and we are good to go," the GABF President appealed.

He added: "The boys have been training for this opportunity for so many years and we spent a lot of money for them to participate in the African championship in Morocco from where they qualified.

"Ghana boxing's participation in the next Olympic Games is off and you know most at times it's just boxing and athletics that bring the country medals.

"Their denial will be the first time in the history of the country and we are praying for the President to personally intervene to ensure the team makes it to Qatar on time for the world championship, it's a must for the future of Ghana boxing."