Black Bombers open camp ahead of Commonwealth Games
Ghana’s national boxing team, the Black Bombers, have entered a decisive phase of their preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games after opening a residential camp at the Winneba Sports College.
The camp, which began on Saturday, signals the start of an intensive build-up programme designed to sharpen the squad for Glasgow and other key international assignments on the calendar.
A strong blend of experience and emerging talent headlines the first batch of boxers in camp, including two-time Commonwealth Games medallist Abdul Wahid Omar, African Games gold medallist Amadu Mohammed, and African Youth champions Desmond Pappoe and George Dowuona.
They are joined by highly rated prospects such as Ebenezer Ankrah and Zakari Kamoko, son of popular boxer Bukom Banku, a selection that reflects both pedigree and future promise within the national set-up.
In the absence of head trainer Ofori Asare and technical director Ofoli Quaye, the camp is currently being overseen by Charles Quartey, assisted by Daniel Larteikwei Lartey, Elvis Robertson and Benjamin Tetteh.
The Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) has mapped out an aggressive international schedule aimed at delivering a medal sweep across the seven weight categories at the Commonwealth Games, a competition now streamlined to just 10 sporting disciplines, raising the stakes for participating nations.
The preparation begins with a high-profile regional showdown against Nigeria in early May, a crucial test against a fierce rival expected to contend strongly in Glasgow.
That will be followed by a European training tour from May 25, with the team set to spend time in France engaging in three competitive sparring tournaments against top local clubs.
The programme is designed to expose the Bombers to elite-level opposition and refine their tactical readiness.
From France, the team will move to Ireland for an extended training camp before heading to Glasgow in mid-July for the Games.
Several boxers are also engaged in parallel international assignments. Mathias Ashitey and Akai Nettey are set to join a youth team in France, while Ankrah and Caleb Mensah will compete at the Eindhoven Cup in the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, Amadu Mohammed, James Okoe and Elvis Asiedu are lined up for a World Boxing ranking tournament in the Czech Republic in June.
For the GBF, the strategy is clear: expose the fighters early, test them rigorously, and eliminate complacency.
“The road to gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and LA 2028 Olympics begins now,” GBF Treasurer, Mustapha Nettey, told the Graphic Sports via telephone from the Winneba camp.
“This camp is to heighten our level of preparation and keep the boxers away from distractions. We want maximum effort from everyone. We have scouted potential opponents, and we are matching our boxers against that level to ensure they are ready for whoever they face in Glasgow.”
