President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), Mr. Abraham Kotei Neequaye, also known as ‘Rumours’, has disclosed that he is the best-performing President of the Authority, as during his tenure, he has laid proper structures for the administration of Ghana Boxing.
The former Parliamentary aspirant said he has been able to bring back love to boxing, and the sport has attracted massive patronage to the Bukom Boxing Arena, with as many as 7,000 and 8,000 fans trooping in to watch boxing.
He said the game of boxing in Ghana has attracted support and partnership with IMAX Promotions, which signed a five-year deal. They have presented phones and brand-new cars to the best-performing boxing clubs, such as the Charles Quartey Boxing Foundation, Panix Gym, and the Ghana Army Boxing team.
According to Abraham Neequaye, he has also brought sanity to the administration of Ghana Boxing by creating communications, security, promotions, and marketing desks at the refurbished secretariat.
He noted that his problem has been violence and hooliganism by a few people who try to tarnish the sport by creating unpleasant scenes to spoil bouts, but they are working on it.
He denied collecting money from Imax Promotions to stage bouts because they are partners who are supporting boxing with television, which is very good.
According to him, many people do not understand, but his problem with some people is that he wants to bring justice to the game. “I have done health insurance for boxers, trainers, and other officials, and now we have other promoters coming on board,” he revealed.
On his involvement in some bouts like Isaac Commey versus Sampson Segbedzi and Isaac Arye, as well as Ernest Akushey and Elvis Ahorgah, and the one between his son Cann Neequaye and Daniel Otoo, he expressed that he set up a committee to investigate and present a report, but most often the committee delays in presenting their reports.
He said his 18-year-old son, a former national champ who started boxing at age eight, is on the road to becoming a world champion, and he is his trainer and adviser, trying to take him to the world level.
“I want the best for Ghana Boxing because my son is also a boxer, he is also a Ghanaian, and we are trying to push hard,” he said.
Abraham Neequaye, a former Chairman of Greater Accra Amateur Boxing Association who has been a boxing manager and promoter with Will Power Gym and Baby Jet Promotions respectively, hailed Braima Kamoko aka Bukom Banku for his loyalty and example as a boxer, and he is ever prepared to support him in his retirement.
He disclosed doing several businesses, like running a company called Energy House and operating a club known as Rumours, however he loves boxing that is why he is at the forefront and ensuring that things are done properly than in previous times when the presidents sit somewhere in their private offices and allow the secretary to run the GBA office, however when problems arise he is called upon to answer.
After taking part in the recent Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) Retreat in Koforidua, he expressed that it was in the right direction and commended the new board led by Lawyer Richard Akpokavie. He noted that professional boxing has become attractive in Ghana, so many amateur boxers want to turn pro early, but he has cautioned them to gain some experience before joining the pro ranks.
On the combination of Education and Sports, he advised parents to monitor, encourage, guide, guar, and prepare their kids well to become good champions.
He stated that the future of Ghana Boxing is very bright, and he is going to stand again for the presidency. He appealed to all stakeholders to contribute positively for the good of the sport.
On the release of the dead body of the Nigerian boxer, Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who passed on in Ghana, he said the government has instituted a committee to investigate and find solutions to avoid future occurrences.
On why it has taken a long time for Ghana to produce a world champion, he said it is all about money because one needs at least $30,000 to organize a world title, and it is not easy to get into the world ratings.
He assured all that everything is on track for Ghana Professional Boxing to be better than before.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
