Ghana’s National Amateur Boxing Team, the Black Bombers put up an awe-inspiring display at the just ended African Games hosted in Accra.
The team won 7 medals in all: Four Gold, One Silver and Two Bronze to round up what was also a face-saving feat after their unfruitful pursuit of Olympic slots at the Dakar Qualifiers and the Championships in Italy respectively.
New kids on the block, Mohammed Amadu and Mohammed Aryeetey (blood relation) wrote their names in letters of Gold (literally) with former Olympic and Commonwealth medalists, Samuel Takyi and Joseph Commey completing the Gold haul.
Meanwhile, Abubakar Kamoko; son of Brimah Kamoko aka Bukom Banku grabbed Silver; enduring a gruelling contest in his first major outing – indeed the youngster didn’t disappoint. Theophilus Allotey who many believe was robbed in that epic Semi Final clash against Zambian Patrick Chilemba, settled for Bronze, with Female Boxer Janet Acquah also grabbing Bronze in the women’s category.
World Title Hunt:
An ecstatic experience it was while it lasted; giving laurel-famished Ghanaian boxing fans something to jubilate about in the interim. Our quest for another world title since Richard Commey succumbed to Teofimo Lopez in the Garden on December 14 , 2019 has hit many-a- roadblock to the extent that Ghana cannot boast of a contemporary genuine world title prospect at this point.
Team Shake Up:
There have been calls from various quarters, some urging a change in technical direction and others claiming certain boxers have paid their dues and ought to exit to pave way for younger, hungrier boxers to take up the mantle.
But at this time, all eyes are set on qualifying for Paris.
Olympic Qualification
After missing out on Olympic Qualification in Senegal and Italy. Ghana’s next and probably final window of opportunity lies in Thailand.
That mission ought to be approached with prime assiduity, as a ‘No Show’ in boxing at the Olympiad would be too bitter a pill to swallow.
Inevitable Backlash:
As much as we commend Black Bombers Head Trainer Dr. Ofori Asare and his charges for the exploits at the African Games, vituperations from the boxing community would be an inexorable reality if we fail to salvage at least a slot at the Olympics.
We wish the team well and urge the government to ensure the right things are put in place.
By Samuel Opoku Amoah
(Sam Nana Gold)