Major and Latest Boxing news in Ghana
Ike Quartey laments state of boxing
Former world welterweight champion, Ike “Bazooka” Quartey, says Ghana can only get a world champion if amateur boxing is revived with a sense of urgency.
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The retired boxer told the Daily Graphic he was ready to offer his services towards the revival of amateur boxing .
“I’m prepared to contribute my expertise and experience freely if the state is willing to listen to me and make boxing a national sport instead of concentrating it in the Greater Region,” he stated.
He has, therefore, called on the Ministry of Youth and Sports to hand over the day-to-day running of amateur boxing to him and give him state support.
“We must start now because there is no time to waste. Ghana will get a world champion in the next four to eight years if I take over,” he stated.
According to him, all the World champions the nation had produced in the past were nurtured at the amateur level and for him, grooming boxers from the amateur level is the only way forward.
“If I get the opportunity to take over amateur boxing, things will change in terms of training and I will embark on a talent hunt nationwide, as well as make available training equipment to all the regions,” he stated.
He said the lack of funds, logistics and equipment was the primary concerns for amateur boxers at the moment.
Ike stated that that would not be a problem when he took over as he would liaise with the government to address the problem.
He asserted that the Ray Quarcoo- led administration could no longer handle the numerous problems that bedevilled the sport.
However, he said Ray Quarcoo, who he described as his former manager and mentor, had done his best to sustain amateur boxing.