Boxers and trainers appeal to Sports Minister

Boxers and trainers around Bukom in Accra on Tuesday appealed to the minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Edward Osei - Kweku, to provide the area with modern gyms to help unearth more talents and groom them to be World Champions.

They made the appeal during a visit to the area by the minister to ascertain problems facing boxers and their trainers in Bukom, which is noted for producing world-class boxers.

The boxers and their trainers told the minister that they lacked modern training facilities such as gloves, punching bags, and good environment to train in.

They said though the area produced many World Champions like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Alfred Kotey and D.K. Poison among others it is neglected by the authorities. They added that if good facilities are available, the area would come up with more boxers who would bring laurels to the nation.

Reacting to the concerns of the boxers, the minister said the facilities he saw during the visit were deplorable having regard to Bukom where many outstanding boxers came from and pledged that every effort would be made to assist them with up- to-date training facilities in line with the governments policy to promote boxing in the country.

He urged them to visit the ministry when they are in need of any assistance adding that they should not hesitate to make their problems known to the National Sports Council. The Mayor of Accra, Mr Solomon Ofei Darko, who was also part of the Minister's entourage said every effort would be made to help potential boxes in the area to develop their talents.

He urged them to continue training saying, "it is through this that you can achieve your objectives and win recognition. The MP for Odododiodio, Nii Ayi Bontey, advised the boxers to emulate their predecessors and take their training serious in order to make their dreams and aspirations true.

The MP announced that plans are far advanced to acquire a plot of land for a modern gym befitting the area which has produced most of the country's World Boxing Champions.

The gyms the minister visited include the Bukom Boxing Club, Akotoku Boxing Academy and the Back Panthers Boxing Gym where he interacted with boxers like Braimah Kamoko, alias Bukom Banku, Bukom Fire, Bukom Tsatsu and others.