The Disciplinary/Arbitration Committee of the Ghana Boxing Authority was in full swing with their rod in the last few weeks handing a 5 year and a 2 year ban on Richard Nii Lartey and Richard Commey respectively.
According to the committee, Richard Lartey is being sanctioned for document misconduct whiles Richard Commey faces a 2 yr ban for false accusations.
The sanction on the later however, has brought about different views raising debates among connoisseurs of the game all in love of the sport with some raising questions to both parties.
There’s currently a heated argument ongoing between Daniel David Quartey (a seasoned sports writer formerly at Pulseghana.com.gh, currently an Editor at yen.com.gh and boxinghana.com) and Mr. Alex Ntiamoah-Boakye (CEO/Promoter at Box Office Sports Ltd).
To begin, Daniel Quartey on his facebook handle posted
“The GBA said they have imposed a two-year ban on Richie Commey…hmmmm
I’m speechless, confused and to top it all this decision was influenced by personal feelings.… ” he alleged.
The Editorial Editor of Premier Boxing as well as Boxing Hall of Fame voter Kenneth Bouhairie also chipped in his view on the letter sanctioning Richard Commey. He said
“Wow. Petty and unprofessional. Ghana smh…The way the letter is framed is so silly it’s laughable. I can’t envision any professional outfit issuing such a statement. I’m surprised no one thought better of what they were writing. Very bad look.”
He also said “… I’m stunned. If they felt he should be sanctioned, fine. But the tone and the verbiage in the letter is childish and suggests something nefarious”.
Another post Daniel Quartey made that sparked the debate was this
“I’m not justifying Richard Commey’s statement against the GBA.
My position is if the GBA is using Richie Commey as a scape goat so be it.
The same association failed to take action against some boxer(s) who openly insulted the GBA president and also questioned his credentials in boxing.
As I said, “Those Who Seek For Equity Must Come with Clean Hands.”
The posted ended, but there were several reactions to it with the Box Office CEO making interesting views pertaining to the sanction with reference to Daniel’s post.
He responded
“People should know that GBA is a regulatory body and its activities are to regulate the sport and not to find sponsors and do all manner of things people expects them to do but because of the situation and the level we finds ourselves they always try to support with other things that’s beyond their mandate…”
To make it short, I’ll like to ask, why such outburst of debate among big stakeholders of the sport? Something must be wrong somewhere. Things have to be put right? Where can we get the Code and Ethics that guides GBA and its members so that everyone will just shut up?
Things don’t look good at all and its a sad time for Ghana Boxing.
If anyone is hiding behind any veil, they should remove it and make things plain for all too see, this way, all can be guided accordingly knowing the rules with its sanction.
Long live Ghana Boxing.