One of the finest brains in the art of pugilism, owner and bankroller of the Don’s promotional hub Mr. Michael Nii Yarboi Annan has called on Government to use boxing as one of the most important channels to set the youth agenda.
“For this country… It can help set the youth’s agenda. Currently, those of us who are taking our children to international schools and all that, are paying for our kids to go to the gym and box, right? It means there is something about boxing. It’s kind of discipline for the kids and all that. An act of self defense and everything.
But, more than that. Turning the energies of our youth into profitable ventures. We cannot look far. I mean, boxing is there. Yes, you might say it’s an individual sports but, let’s say individual sports has a whole team backing it. When we do it well, it will benefit those in the fashion designing, clothing. It will benefit those in business, in commerce. It will benefit the trainers, it will benefit families, it will benefit the whole society, and this is how we can do it.” He expressed when boxingghana’s Samuel Ofosuhene and Mustapha Nettey visited his offices at Adabraka in Accra, Ghana.
In our over 30 minutes of interaction with one of the kingpins in Ghana Boxing, Mr. Yarboi Annan conceded the fact that Ghana is yet to see a shift from our current reliance in one sport to a more comprehensive policy approach.
“We can talk of the stories of the Klitschko’s, and what they’ve done with boxing and where boxing have also put them. It’s about time that we take a conscious action and effort to bring boxing to where it deserves and where, Ghana … I mean, we are a sleeping giant, and I think we need to wake up.”
It is a fact that the contest between the two finest pugilists of the millennium, Manny Pacquio and Floyd Mayweather delivered no knockout, yet made millions for both athletes and their respective national economies.
Boxing to a large extent helped the American economy from the days of the recession. For example in the 1880’s to the 1920’s, boxing has risen from a “backyard” sport, a circus entertainment and an illegal fight to a social phenomenon that attracted masses of people.
Tens of thousands of people storm to bouts, in stadiums or arenas in the United States, perhaps it may be due to the Great Depression that attracted the masses to boxing bouts but what indeed is an undeniable fact is that, boxing contributed tremendously in reducing the high social implication, boxing had a major influence on the American economy too.
“We should try and demystify boxing as a sport for some few sect of people. It is an industry on its own and we need to try and get the interest of all and sundry and it starts with the media, Government and hosting bouts in new territories and branding it as such. People must feel safe going to watch a bout and that brings to mind proper branding.” He entreated.
Don’s Promotions are set to host their next international bout in the month of May at a coded venue which is meant to attract different profiles of boxing fans.
Boxingghana.com will keep readers updated on this visionary revolutionary changes.