USA based Ghanaian female boxer Ornella Sathoud will be representing Ghana at the 12th Africa Games in Morocco this year in boxing.
“I’m beyond honored to have made the cut and received the privilege to be part of the team that will be sent to represent Ghana. I’ll do everything in my power to represent my country. Thanks to the coaches for believing in me” she said.
The 2017 DC Golden Gloves champion was selected based on her exploits as a potential medal hopeful.
Chairman of the Technical Sub Committee, Dr. Emmanuel Owusu Ansah told the media, the nation is selecting athletes who would be able to win medals, and Ornell Sathoud falls within the category perfectly.
President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), George Lamptey said boxing is definitely going to give the nation some medals, but he has not been happy with the little support given the Black Bombers, the national boxing team.
He said boxing is the number one sport that gives Ghana medals at international meets, but the motivation and encouragement given to the boxers is not enough as compared to the football team.
Coach Kwesi Ofori Asare, head coach of the Black Bombers who holds a three star from AIBA as a coaching instructor also thinks the boxers are very good but they lack experience and exposure.
He noted that it was very difficult selecting the 10 boxers to represent the nation as some of the young boxers are doing very well.
He said the Bukom Fist of Fury Boxing League also helped to keep the boxers in shape, but that was a local programme and he wished the team had engaged any of the West African countries before the African Games.
The 10 boxers going to represent Ghana are Abdul Wahid Omar – 63kg, Anan Kutsokey – 91kg, David Bawa – 91kg, Jessie Lartey – 69kg, Samuel Yaw Addo – 57kg, Shakul Samed – 81kg, Suleiman Tetteh – 52kg, Abubakar Quartey – 75kg, Abigail Quartey – 57kg and Ornella Sathoud – 75kg.
By Sammy Heywood Okine