Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) meets Boxing Promoters
The President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), Mr. Abraham Kotei Neequaye and and the executive board has met with promoters on Thursday at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Among the promoters present were representatives of Dons, Global Sports, Aborigines, Fast Track, Hype, Euroka, Fight Ready, Ambition, Imax and Winbase.
Mr. Neequaye welcomed the promoters and promised that the GBA has not come to spoil their enterprises in boxing, but rather to make them work better, transparent and do more lucrative business..
They discussed the new promotions fees and formation of the Promoters Association which the president saw as a good thing, because he wants all other license holders like managers, boxers, match makers, referees to come together.
He expressed that the presence of Imax Media is positive as the boxing fraternity has been looking for investors, and the Ghana Professional Boxing League which they are supporting is going to help boxers, trainers and others involved in the sport a lot as winning Gyms and best boxer is going to win a brand new Renault car.
He expressed that the presence of Imax is not a threat, but a blessing as they are bringing on board other sponsors.
“The doors of the GBA are opened and we want to work with genuine promoters who will make Ghana Boxing reach greater heights” he said.
According to the GBA President his predecessors, Moses Foh Amoaning and Peter Zwennes came up with the Mortein Boxing League and the Bukom Fist of Fury Boxing League respectively, and he is also coming with the Ghana Professional Boxing League, so no one should think he is supporting one promoter. He hinted that other promoters have their boxers on the League Bill, so no one should harbour fears.
Mr. Michael Annan of Dons Promotions urged the GBA to administer boxing in all the 16 regions of Ghana and not only in Accra. He also suggested that the ratings of boxers should be published regularly while national champions should also be mandated to defend their belts at specific periods.
He said boxing can solve many social problems if it is organized well.
Mr. John Manfo of Fight Ready Promotions also said the new GBA wants to promote transparency and opportunities for all stakeholders in Ghana Boxing, so no one should feel sidelined or left behind as they are in to make Ghana Boxing better and create avenues for more continental and world champions.
Mr. J. A. Annan, an experienced and veteran boxing personality advised the gathering that the constitution of the GBA is not complete, which the President accepted and proposed an extra ordinary Congress to put things in the right perspective and direction.
Chief Executive of Ambition Promotions Alhaji Toffik, also a board member of the GBA said they are trying their best to make all stakeholders in the game and business of boxing to benefit from their toils
He thanked all the promoters who graced the meeting with the promise of supporting all promoters who require their services.
Some notable promotions outfits missing at the meeting were Box Office, Ace Power, Cabic, Baby Jet, S3 and Bronx, however Mr. Neequaye promised to call another meeting to allow all promotional companies in the boxing business to put their grievances across for amicable solutions peace and unity.
By Sammy Heywood Okine