Boxing trainer Noah Awatey believes Akotoku Academy will soon produce a world champion for Ghana.

He noted that the gym has some of the best boxers in the country who can shine when given the opportunity.

“It’s been long since we produced a world champion for Ghana which has really affected our pedigree as an elite gym in the country but we are working hard on that,” said trainer Noah Awatey.

He is supported by Emmanuel Abbey and Elvis Robertson who are trying to groom, shape and prepare the next generation of champions.

Technical Director, Theo Edwin Addo is in Australia, and his staff are committed to producing another world champion by 2025, as projected by coach Noah Awatey.

Presently, Akotoku Academy is proud of its committed  28 boxers, made up of seven professionals, 14 amateurs, five juveniles and two females who have big dreams.

The prospects are experienced professional, Justice Addy, the undefeated Prince Octopus Dzanie (21-0) who represented Ghana at the 2008 Olympic Games, Shakur Samed who just qualified for Tokyo 2020, Junior Olympian Alfred Kotey, young enterprising Mike Nelson aka ‘Mayweather’ and new sensation Issif Seidu (3-0).

Coach Robertson said their major problem is equipment and a roof or pavilion to train under when it rains.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Young amazing boxer, Joseph Awinongya Jnr will meet Rubio Gabriel in the semi finals of the competition on Friday April 2.

Joseph vs Gabriel Rubio is in Ring 1, bout 9 at 11AM Chicago, 4PM Ghana, 6PM Italy, 6PM Netherlands. 

All fans of Team Awinongya must support the young chap as he goes for glory again.

Joseph Awinongya Jnr is on course  to winning his eighth USA National Championship. He won his first fight against Alexander Hom.

Rubio Gabriel also beat Maruffo Casano Jaylin in the round of the competition.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Beautiful Beneath is conducting the Big Easter Sale at their shops at East Legon, Marina Mall and Coin - De -Luxe at Labone.

Shoppers will enjoy an amazing 20 % discount from March 30 to April 5, 2021.

The amazing feature is ‘buy a swim wear and get one free’

Madam Juliet Gyamfi, the CEO says as part of the Easter activities, they are organising the 7 -day sale for their most cherished customers.

“We are giving 20% discount on our quality sportswear, sleepwear, swimwear and lingerie. All these products are available in different sizes and colours for the whole family. The considerable sales is to celebrate the shop’s loyal customers for their support and patronage” she said.

Beautiful Beneath has been a keen supporter of breast and cervical cancers awareness and been engaged in many sports programmes and events like the Beach Sports, Millennium Marathon and Accra WorksOut fitness programme where celebrities come out monthly to exercise and socialize.

Madam Gymfi expressed gratitude to all her customers, partners, friends and fans. She prayed and hoped that things are going to be better in the coming days.

Beautiful Beneath is Ghana's premier lingerie and sports outlet.

The popular fashion house deals in quality lingerie, sportswear, swimwear and sleepwear from world leading brands for the whole family.

We are located at East Legon near A & C Mall. Call us on 0204599473 for more details.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Some members of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) Tokyo 2020 Working Committee on Thursday morning paid a surprise visit to the national boxing team, the Black Bombers at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Committee was led by Mr. Paul Atchoe, first vice president of the GOC and former Chef du Mission.

He was accompanied by Mr. Shaban Mohammed, director of operations and technical director of the Ghana Cycling Association.

They met the head coach of the Bombers, Dr. Ofori Asare, vice president of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) and Joojo Ephson, the Communications Director / Media Attache.

The Working Committee assured the boxers of full support and grant them all that they need to win medals for the nation.

Three boxers have qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games which comes off from July 28 to August 8 in Japan.

They are captain Sulemana Tetteh - Flyweight, sensational Samuel Takyi - Featherweight and Shakur Samed - Light Heavyweight who is the current SWAG Amateur Boxer of the year 2019.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The International Boxing Federation  (IBF) has approved an international fight between Ghana’s Theophilus Tetteh against Ayabonga Sonjica of South Africa for the vacant IBF Africa Jr. Featherweight Title.

The IBF has issued a letter to the promoter granting them formal sanction approval for the staging of the IBF Africa Jr. Featherweight vacant title.

Rumble Africa Promotions will stage the bout between Theophilus Tetteh and Ayabonga Sonjica on April 24, 2021 in Elizabeth, South Africa.

Ayabonga Sonjica is a South African from East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa with an undefeated record of 9 fights.

The sleek Ghanaian, Theophilus Tetteh (14-1, 12KOs) has promised to win the African title and move on to the world ranks.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Reigning African champions Algeria will be tough customers for any side at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The tournament – originally scheduled to take place this year – was postponed to 2022 and the Greens are still formidable. The team of Djamel Belmadi are currently unbeaten in 24 international games.

The two-time Champions of Africa finished their qualification tournament unbeaten – 3 wins, 3 draws and scored 19 goals averaging 3 goals per game. That is some serious attacking strength.

The team has unbelievable number of quality players – Riyad Mahrez, Youcef Belaili, Ismail Bennacer, Baghdad Bounedjah and co.

Dreams FC’s highest goal scorer Joseph Esso has signed a three-year deal with Algerian top-flight side MC Algiers.

The 24-year old former Accra Hearts of Oak playermaker is processing his visa to travel to Algeria to have his medicals to complete the signing.

Esso scored 10 league goals in 16 matches and won the NASCO Ghana Premier League Player of the month award in February.

He becomes the third player to move to the Algerian league this season following Daniel Lomotey and Kwame Opoku’s move to ES Setif and USM Algiers respectively.

The prolific striker cum playmaker was a member of the squad that qualified Ghana to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next year.

He was also a member of the Black Stars team that B finished runners-up at the 2019 WAFU Cup of Nations in 2019.

MC Algiers is currently occupying the 11th position on the Algerian Ligue 1 league table with 25 points after 16 matches.

The Akotoku Boxing Academy was founded in 1974 by the late Francis Attuquaye Clottey. The gym has produced legends like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, David “Poison” Kotey Hector Clottey, Judas Clottey, Kpakpo Allotey and late Alfred Kotey.

The founder Attuquaye Clottey was a cherished boxer in Ghana who became a champion trainer upon retirement. He was the lead coach of the Black Bombers, the national amateur boxing squad.

Akotoku, was once upon a time, the best gym Ghana having its own boxing’s history and records.

Akotoku has been the home of four-time African champion “Flash” lbole lssaka, two-time continental titlist Kpapko Allotey, national champion Daniel Allotey, “Thunder” Clottey, two-time Mortein league champion Herbert Quartey, and Godfred Sowah among others have all come through the ranks of the training base.

After the demise of Coach Clottey, Daniel Okoe Odamtten, trainer of former WBA champion “Bazooka” Quartey took over. He did his best to sustain and maintain the facility before leaving for the USA for greener pastures.

“It’s been long since we produced a world champion for Ghana which has really affected our pedigree as an elite gym in the country but we are working hard on that,” said trainer Noah Awatey who is currently in charge together with Emmanuel Abbey and Elvis Robertson who are trying to groom and inspire the next generation of champions.

Technical Director, Theo Edwin Addo is in Australia, and his staff are committed to producing another world champion by 2025, according to coach Noah Awatey.

Currently in 2021, Akotoku Academy boasts of 28 boxers, made up of seven professionals, 14 amateurs, five juveniles and two females.

The popular names in the gym are experienced professional Justice Addy, the undefeated Prince Octopus Dzanie (21-0) who represented Ghana at the 2008 Olympic Games, Shakur Samed who just qualified for Tokyo 2020, Junior Olympian Alfred Kotey, young enterprising Mike Nelson aka ‘Mayweather’ and new sensation Issif Seidu (3-0).

Coach Robertson told Yours Truly, their major problem is a roof or pavilion to train under when it rains, and modern boxing equipment, including gloves, head gear etc.

“We have the talents, but lack the training tools, so we will appreciate if someone comes to our aid. We also wish some of our ex champions could pay us visits to encourage and motivate the young boxers” he added.

He expressed that the boxing trainer lack many things and wish the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) will organize frequent refresher courses for coaches, referees and other ring officials.

He commended the administration of the GBA President, Lawyer Peter Zwennes and Mr. George Lamptey who leads the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) for their efforts in putting Ghana boxing at its enviable position as the sport with many world champions for Ghana.

By Sammy Heywood Okine   

Watch Out for the James Town and Bukom boxing stars of the future.

It is happening live on 17th April, 2021 at Bukom Boxing Arena under the banner of Winbase Boxing Promotions.

Young promoter Edwin Evans says he wants to support the up and coming boxers who are disciplined, so he has decided to unearth and groom a few talents from James Town, the cradle of boxing in Ghana, and push the up to the international and world level.

Topping the mouthwatering package is Benjamin Lamptey aka ‘Daddy Lumba’ versus Charles Amateifio in a non title Lightweight contest.

The Star of the future, Mohammed ‘Golden Boy’Aryeetey will take on Isaac ‘Iron Mike Tyson’ Aryeetey.

In other expected exciting parings, Yusif Seidu will face John Quaye, Derrick Quaye against Elvis Mensah while Michael Decardi Nelson will clash with Moses Adjei Selvi.

According to the promoter, gates will open at 5pm, and the bouts start at 7pm. He said all Covid -19 protocols will be observed at the Arena.

Tickets for the fights are available online at www.winbasepromotions.com at 20ghc for regular, 50ghc for VIP and 200ghc for Ringside.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The GNPC Ghana’ Fastest Human Competition is back to the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra on Saturday April 10, 2021.

The current most exciting athletics competition in the country, GNPC Ghana’s Fastest Human comes to the capital city, after the first in the season at the historic city of Cape Coast.

Student sprinters in the schools and colleges, as well as individuals in the communities who believe in themselves are invited to participate and compete.

According to the organisers, all Covid – 19 safety measures and health protocols will be put in place.

They said the second competition which comes off at the University of Ghana, Legon for the Accra Edition on Saturday April 10 is expected to be a thriller, then the third is scheduled for the Paa Joe Stadium (KNUST) on Saturday May 1, 2021 if there is no hitch in the planning and preparations.

The competition is also for young males and females under 18 and over 18 sprinters. and 200 meters has been added. At stake at the grand final is President Nana Akufo Addo’s cup.

The GFH competition which intends to unearth top sprinters for Ghana to participate in the Olympic Games is sponsored by GNPC, Adidas, GCB, Kriate Lync, Wrenco and Global Media Alliance.

Mr. Reks Brobbey, an Olympian is the brain behind the competition which has produced Ghana’s current best sprinter and 100 meters record holder, Benjamin Azamati.

He is also the Deputy Operating Officer of the Local Organising Committee of the 2023 African Games to be hosted in Ghana.

He said the event will be reported live radio by Joe Addo and his ArchAfrika crew, plus amazing grills on offer by Elizas Jamrock restaurant.

By Sammy Heywood Okine