When Ghana’s boxing finest converged to welcome Bukom Arena
Six of Ghana’s illustrious boxers were last Tuesday celebrated and honoured by President John Dramani Mahama for their hard work and for lifting high the flag of the nation at the international level over the decades.
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The boxers – David Kotei alias D.K Poison, Azumah Nelson, Nana Yaw Konadu, Ike Bazooka Quartey, Alfred ‘Cobra’ Kotey, Joseph ‘Kingkong’ Agbeko and Joshua Klottey - were recognised during the inauguration of the 4,000-seater boxing arena located at Bukom in Accra.
With the exception of the boxing professor, Azumah Nelson, all the awardees were present to take home a plaque and an undisclosed amount of money presented to them by the President.
The inauguration of the facility, which is part of the Trust Sports Emporium, funded by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), brought together some major stakeholders of Ghana boxing to witness what is considered as the ‘revival of Ghana’s boxing fortunes’.
The ceremony which witnessed a large crowd also saw in attendance Madam Sherry Ayitey , Minister of Fisheries, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mustapha Ahmed, immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuye, Mayor of Accra, Madam Akua Donkor and Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, among others.
In his speech, President Mahama said the construction of the facility, which was in fulfillment of his pledge to provide adequate sports facility in the country, would not only revive the dwindling boxing fortunes but other sporting activities.
Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, the Minister of Youth and Sports, expressed appreciation to the President for honouring his promise to the people of Bukom, the heart of boxing, which will once again open the community to the rest of the world.
The Director General of SSNIT, Mr Ernest Thompson, in his address, said his outfit had a 60 per cent shareholding in the facility while ETC Polska owed the remaining 40 per cent stake.
Also available at the arena are an 800-seater sports auditorium, a two-storey aerobic, physiotherapy and gym block, and a 300-seater conference hall.
The stadium also has a 10-lane Olympic-size swimming pool, a restaurant, a nine-unit three storey JHS and SHS school for needy students with huge potential in sports and a 20-seater sanitary facility.
It will host the IBO lightweight bout between Emmanuel Tagoe and the Argentine boxer, Febardo David Saucedo, on November 25 in a fight dubbed “Fist of Destiny”.