The Boxing Writers Association of Ghana (BWAG) has appealed to the government to closely pay attention to the Black Bombers, the national boxing team in their preparations towards the Olympic Games.
President of the Association, Mr. Sammy Heywood Okine said the national amateur boxers need to be taken good care of if the people of Ghana expect them to win medals
He said for a boxer to win an Olympic medal, much investment must go into him or her because the event is very special and historic.
According to the experienced sports journalist, the Black Bombers are capable as boxing has awarded the nation most of its Olympic medals.
“If we invest we will reap. We cannot reap where we have not sown, and the Olympic Games is not a playing place. Every one who has qualified to represent at the Games is a champion, that is why they say participation is good, but winning a medal is better and winning the gold is the best. We have to go and win to make Africa proud” he expressed.
Mr. Heywood Okine who is Ag. Communications Director of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) suggested that the Black Bombers should move into residential camping, so that they are focused with no divided attention or attracted to social activities.
He added that they have to move out to an international camp in a boxing nation like the UK, Cuba, Canada, Russia to gain exposure and experience, adding that they need special nutritionist and a psychologist to make them aware of the mission to become Olympic Champions.
The Associate Editor of Boxinghana.com and country manager of African Sports Media Network disclosed the BWAG has been formed to promote boxing more professionally in the media, and reward members of the boxing family who excel in the duties. He assured boxing promoters of maximum support in terms on press coverage.
“We hope to improve relations between sports journalists and the boxing fraternity” he stressed.
Sulemana Tetteh (Flyweight) and Samuel Takyi (Featherweight) have qualified to represent Ghana at the 2020 Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan in July and August 2021.
The last time Ghana won an Olympic medal was in 1992, when the Black Meteors won bronze, however boxing has already given the nation medals in 1962 (silver), 1964 (bronze) and 1972 (bronze)
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Special Monitoring Committee has adjusted its programmes with the global boxing qualifying tournament for the Tokyo Olympics canceled and an European event postponed from April to June.
From Naa Amerley Commey