We are ready to build boxing arena – Sports Minister

* *

Sports Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has assured Ghana Boxing United Coaches Association that government have already taken the decision to build a boxing arena in the bid to help the sport re-establish its eminent place in development and promotion.

Reliable *Boxing In Ghana* sources indicate that the Minister made the pledge when he met the coaches union some few weeks ago to discuss why the trainers had boycotted the recent Individual championships organized by the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF).

We understand that even though Hon. Afriyie Ankrah did not spend much time with the coaches because of other official engagements, the meeting lasted long enough for the Minister to reassure his commitment to reviving the sport and also reveal that President Mahama had approved the plan to build a boxing dome.

Accordingly, the Minister had even personally met the supposed contractors at the Golden Tulip Hotel but what remains is the land for the execution of the project. Government can only get land for the purpose outside Accra, Hon. Afriyie Ankrah apparently disclosed.

The coaches also insist an arena must be built within Accra because the sport is concentrated here upon which the Minister charged them to look for the ideal land so that government can then initiate the right procedures for the project to begin.

We understand former boxer now coach, Napoloen Tagoe offered to get a land around the James Town hub of Accra so he was empowered by the Minister to go and see the owners about acquiring it for national project and come back with a report on his fact-finding mission.