The boxing authorities in Ghana have over the past few months made it a point to grow the sport from the youth and juvenile stages as they have through their various representatives. They put in place tournaments that would help the youth who have got the love and passion for the sport to find it easy to join and make a future for themselves.
Right after the Greater Accra Boxing Association launched the much anticipated “Novice Boxing” and “Books B’4 Hooks”, there has been various highlights on ensuring participation of the youth as the future of the sport rests on their shoulders.
The Ghana Boxing Authority on the 11th of June, 2021 showed their commitment to the sport as they launched another life turning project in the boxing scene, the National Juvenile and Youth Boxing Teams.
With the Hon. Minister for Youth and Sports attending to equally important tasks, Prof. Peter O. Twumasi the National Sports Authority Director represented to ensure the inaugural process goes through smoothly. Prof. Twumasi together with some dignitaries inducted the maiden National Juvenile and Youth Boxing Teams established by the Ghana Boxing Authority and Ghana Boxing Federation. It was with joy when they announced HE. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the president of the republic of Ghana as the Chief Patron.
The national project is expected to recruit and train youngsters in boxing and to coach them into becoming boxing greats to match the names of D. K. Poison, Prof. Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey among others.
Education as has been left out in many sporting fields has left many sportsmen and women wanting. Therefore, plans have been made by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Authority to ensure that the children while taking on the sport receive formal education as well as exploring the boxing talents and opportunities it comes with.
Prof. Peter O. Twumasi in his post stated, “the University for Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) who are currently collaborating with NSA to improve performance of sportsmen and women through the application of science and technology, presented their final reports on anthropometric and nutritional assessment of juvenile, youth and amateur boxers. Led by Pro. O. O. Omotayo of the School of Sports Medicine and Exercise, the team reported significant influence of body architecture and nutrition on agility, reaction time and stamina of the boxers they studied. Other scientific studies are expected to be carried out on the boxers as well as athletes from other disciplines.”
With the inuagration carried out as planned, Lawyer Moses Foh-Amoaning, the project coordinator, urged all stakeholders and corporate bodies to support the mission to ensure success for all and sundry.
Written by: Nana Kojo Sakyie Eduafo-Quansah
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