Unify GABA and GBA to promote boxing -- Bessalem

Accra, Aug 21, GNA 96 Dr Abdallah Bessalem, President of the Africa Boxing Confederation (ABC) has suggested to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports to take steps to unify the Ghana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) and the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) to ensure coherence in the development of boxing in the country.

He said that the separation of the two bodies could also be a factor in the downtrend of the sport in the country.

Dr Bessalem made the suggestion when he met the sector Minister, Papa Owusu Ankomah on Monday, to discuss the state of the sport in the country.

The President said even though the two bodies are seeking the general development of the sport, they have different intentions and dimensions, which he said does not auger well for the progress of the sport.

Dr Bessalem arrived in the country with the Secretary General of ABC, Bayor Kelani last Sunday, after attending an ABC Congress in Lome, Togo and have since left the country on Monday afternoon. He said about nine countries are currently facing difficulties in their efforts at promoting boxing following the separation of the two bodies, as each seems to have its own ideas and strategies. According to the ABC President, the best to way to produce quality boxers is to operate a single body system, which will ensure an effective monitoring of the boxers right from the amateur level to the professional stage.

Dr Besssalem was not happy with the absence of the GBA at the last meeting of the continental body held recently in Lome, Togo, adding that their absence would have been averted if the nation was operating a single system of management.

He said Ghana is among the few countries with enough talents in the sport and therefore, his outfit will not sit unconcerned for the sport to sink.

Papa Ankomah expressed delight at the visit of the two officials and said his outfit has taken a careful consideration at the suggestion made and will see how best to rectify it.

The Minister also expressed the government's determination to ensure even development of all sporting disciplines in the country. The ABC President later presented a special gift to the Minister. Ghana operates a two system form of management, with GABA charged with the responsibility of unearthing and grooming young boxers, whilst the GBA is charged with organising professional boxing in the country. Dr Bessalem call is therefore not new as there have been similar calls for the unification of the two bodies, since the amateur boxers have in recent times made quick entry into the paid ranks.

This trend many have attributed to the inability of Ghana to win medals at international games.

Ghana at the last Commonwealth Games won a single medal, a situation many described as disappointing, since amateur boxing has been one of the major gold mines for the nation at international games.