The Black Bombers qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic games was a joy to the entire nation knowing that Ghana made history at Japan winning medals in the previous Olympics games hosted by the Asian country.
In an interview with the GBA PRO, Sammy Heywood Okine, he had this to say,
“The Ghana Ambassador to Japan, His Excellency Mr. Frank Okeyre welcomed us when we arrived and he also paid a courtesy visit to our training camp after which the embassy commended my hard work towards Ghana Boxing with a gift I cannot disclose.
Japan is so beautiful and very modern, our team (Ghana) is camping in Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture. The place is very composed and neat. There are many trees that makes the environment enjoyable as well as its surrounding beautification with flowers. As much as the bombers are training tirelessly to ensure they win laurels in this Olympics, they are also enjoying the green surrounded by mountain Bandai.
The Black Bombers are very excited to see such a serene environment which is conducive for training as they train twice a day. They are very focused as they want to achieve great feats for Ghana. There was an arranged friendly match between the Japanese team and Ghana boxing team where the Black Bombers showed dominance over their Japanese counterparts. Ghana General captain Sulemana Tetteh delivered a devastating TKO after which the session was called to an end.
Like I said, the environment is fantastic, the local town gym is equipped to standard and bigger than the Trust Sports Emporium.
The Black Bombers from the time of arrival till now have been poised and ever ready to rumble. The GBA and GOC especially have done well to get Inawashiro to support Team Ghana in spite of the Covid-19 challenges and the people here are surprisingly rooting for Ghana.
With the promise we made to Ghanaians back home, the Bombers and the entire management team are determined to ensure they make history in the Olympics, with all the Bombers targeting to reach the medal zone and battle for the ultimate which is Gold. Knowing Ghana won a bronze medal at the 1964 Olympic games in Tokyo, Coach Dr. Asare also said ‘They are here to repeat history’ and those words keep ringing a bell in the minds of the boxers who are determined to succeed.” Mr Heywood reported.
As many have been following the progress of the Black Bombers and the other Ghana Olympians in Japan, Mr. Sammy Heywood Okine in his own little way has helped the Bombers by way of motivational words and sometimes taking them through series of training.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Okine said, “our camp is so exciting as we live as a family and support each other. The Chef de Mission doctor, administrative manager and Covid-19 liaison officers are all very nice people, they ensure we take a daily Covid-19 test in the morning and luckily we all keep testing negative and praying it remains same till we get back home with Gold.”
Written by: Nana Kojo Sakyie Eduafo-Quansah
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