Adote Dzata 1, President of the Ghana Kick Boxing Association has hailed Richard Commey for winning the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Lightweight title and urged him to be cool headed as ever as well as train harder to maintain the belt and also win more laurels.
Speaking to Yours Truly in an exclusive interview on the successes of Ghanaian champions, he said Commey was born to be great and he has proved it.
According to Nii Dzata 1 who is known in private life as Joseph Mingle, also a former Kick Boxer, there are many good and marvelous sportsmen and women in Ghana who can rob shoulders with the best in the world, but it is very difficult due to financial difficulties.
He expressed that a sport like Kick Boxing has won most medals and title belts, but nobody recognized them, or even give them the necessary publicity and attention.
He said Ghana has world Kick Boxing champions in Lawrence Nyanyo Nmai, Gerald Dah and Jonathan Euro, but nobody minds or talk about them.
“In fact, it is very difficult to manage a sport that has world class potentials, but no funds. We have to see how we can help the youth who love martial arts and boxing as not every one wants to play football” he said.
He commended Richard Commey who moved from football to kick boxing and to boxing, and now a world champion.
He also praised coach Carl Lokko of Bronx Gym at James Town, who groomed the champion to stardom before his manager, Michael Amoo Bediako came on board.
“All the coaches and managers of Commey deserve to be praised for making Ghana proud. As an Association President, I am also very happy and pray that government will pump funds for the development and promotion of sports” he added.
Meanwhile, the first full Muay Thai Championship comes off at the Bukom Boxing Arena on March 9, 2019 and Nii Dzata 1 has appealed for media and corporate support.
By Sammy Heywood Okine