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GBF, GBA under pressure to declare GNPC sponsorship
Mr Otoo is demanding accountability from the GBF and the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) regarding sponsorship funds received from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) for the Bukom Fist of Fury event, which ended abruptly in 2021.
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The renowned matchmaker and promoter has, therefore, given a one-week ultimatum to the GBA and the GBF to render accounts for the sponsorship package.
He stated that if the two bodies failed to meet the deadline, he would organise a massive demonstration against them and also take legal action against them.
“As the 2nd Vice President of the GBF, I am giving Kotei Neequaye, the President of the GBA, and Bernard Quartey, President GBF, a one-week ultimatum to account for the portion of the GBF funds from the GNPC.
“Failure would attract a massive demonstration, followed by a legal action. The war drums have been beaten and I am leaving no stone unturned,” Mr Otoo wrote on his social media page.
The Bukom Fist of Fury was launched in 2018 as a collaborative effort between the GBF and the GBA to provide opportunities for local fighters and develop boxing talent in Ghana.
The event consisted of three tiers: juvenile, amateur, and professional championship fight nights.
It is alleged that the GNPC sponsored the boxing league by channelling funds through the GBA account. However, Abraham Kotei Neequaye, the President of the GBA, has denied the allegation, arguing that it will be impossible for sponsorship funds meant for the GBF to be credited to the GBA account, as both organisations have separate accounts.
In 2021, the GBA, under Neequaye's leadership, introduced the Professional Boxing League as a replacement for the Bukom Fist of Fury. This decision led to the GBF demanding its share of the sponsorship funds from the GNPC.
Interestingly, the situation remains unresolved, and Otoo's threats of a demonstration and legal action reflect the frustration and anger among stakeholders in respect of the sponsorship money and the subsequent cancellation of the Bukom Fist of Fury.