Covid-19: GABF President commends medical personnel and front line workers
President of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) Mr. George Lamptey has called for better medical conditions and facilities for Ghanaian sportsmen and women who represent the nation at international competition.
Speaking to Yours Truly on the effect of the coronavirus on amateur boxing, he said after the African qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Senegal, they have been planning and preparing for the world qualifier in Paris, France when all of a sudden the pandemic hit the world to shatter all sports events and programmes.
He noted that it had not been easy for the Black Bombers since the lock down was announced, and all boarders closed, which affected many businesses, including boxing.
“The exciting Bukom Fist of Fury Amateur Boxing League had to be halted due to to covid-19 and it has affected our boxers paa” he explained.
He expressed that life and the health of the sportsmen and women is very important and paramout, so the government must put in place better conditions and facilities for national team athletes.
He praised the Nana Akufo Addo led government for swift action in closing the boarders and instituting the health and safety protocols like the lock down, fumigation, ensuring the wearing of nose and mouth masks, washing of hands with soap, avoiding handshakes, usage of sanitizers and social distancing.
He also hailed the ministries of health, sanitation, information and others like the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) who worked tirelessly to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Mr. Lamptey is very sure that Ghana will shine at the Olympic Games if the qualified boxers are given the right exposure to gain experience. He also appealed for swift payment of national boxers’ bonuses like it is done for the Black Stars.
He thanked the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and the Pro Fighting Factory (PFF) for coming to their aid in the midst of the pandemic.
Young prodigy, Samuel Takyi and Suleiman Tetteh, the skipper of the Black Bombers have qualified for the Olympic Games which has been shifted to 2021.
By Sammy Heywood Okine