Boxing fraternity pays last respect to Alloway
Ghana’s boxing community last Saturday descended on Bukom, the cradle of boxing, to bid an emotional farewell to legendary coach Godwin Nii Dzanie Kotey, aka “coach Alloway”.
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It was a large gathering by politicians, movers and shakers of the sport, as well as some up-and-coming boxers who learned their trade under the guidance of the coach, as they paid their last respects to one of the finest trainers of his era. Former and current boxers, promoters, managers, match-makers, trainers and referees all came together to mourn the late 56-year-old who passed away a month ago after a short illness.
The late Alloway was the trainer of former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey.
The mourners included boxing legends David Kotei Poison, Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, former world champions Clottey and Joseph Agbeko, new Youth and Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye, the Mayor of Accra Alfred Okoe Vanderpuye and the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo.
Earlier last Friday night, exhibition bouts featuring both amateur and professional boxers were staged at Bukom in honour of the late trainer.
After a brief sermon, tributes were paid to the coach, with Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) president Peter Zwennes eulogising the late Alloway.
Mr Zwennes noted that Alloway was one of his kind and withstood trying times to make the sport a force to reckon with.
He advocated for a befitting honour for such heroes by the state and implored the state to capitalise on the funeral of Alloway to fully revive the sport and make it a national pasttime again.
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The late trainer’s body, which lay in a coffin designed in the shape of a boxing glove, was later interred at the Osu Cemetery.