HISTORY OF AMATEUR BOXING IN GHANA

 Amateur Boxing in Ghana started as far back as the beginning of the 20th Century (1900) when indigenous Amateur boxing fights were organized. This was done with the bare-knuckle fist fighting in both single combats or inter-clan-for-all fights. (Asafo Atsere).

In 1926, an expatriate District Commissioner called Williams in Accra staged boxing fights at the back of his bungalow. He later teamed up with Lt. Col. Banford, a colonial police commissioner, to organize amateur boxing championships at the Nsawam Cadbury and Fry yard.

Between this time and the 1950s, boxing clubs such as Community Centre Boxing Club, Marconi Boxing Club, CYO Boxing Club and Golden Gloves Boxing Club were very active on the Ghanaian Amateur Boxing scene. These were later joined by other boxing clubs which include Attoh Quarshie B/C, Billy Kotey Memorial B/C, Harding School of Boxing, Zion B/C just to mention a few.

Currently, in Ghana, there are over fifty (50) boxing clubs, with the majority of them in the Accra metropolis.

It is worth noting that all of Ghana’s past world champions with the exception of D.K. Poison were products of Ghana Amateur Boxing.
Amateur Boxing in Ghana for some time now has descended to its lowest ebbs and it is important that it put back unto the pinnacle where it once belongs.


SITUATION ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

  • Good image and reputation in the past (past glories)
  • Quality of members
  • Access to Men’s only Boxing League
  • Potential and Interests
  • Legal Backing SMC Decree 54
  • Good results background
  • Improvisation of equipment

WEAKNESSES

  • Inadequate funding and poor allocation of resources for the promotion of amateur Boxing
  • Inadequate and rundown equipment and infrastructure facilities
  • Weak collaboration with stakeholders
  • Lack of coaches and other boxing officials
  • The ineffective and inefficient communication system
  • Lack of club development and promotion tournaments at regional district and grassroots level
  • Inadequate and ineffective education training programme for boxers, referees and judges
  • Lack of a strategic plan to guide the development of amateur boxing
  • Conflicts
  • Weak financial base

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Collaboration with stakeholders
  • Sponsorship from co-operating bodies and embassies
  • Support from the Ministry of Education and Sports at regional and district levels
  • Good leadership from outside
  • Training of Technical Staff
  • Competitions
  • Camping Venues
  • Good Climate

CHALLENGES

  • Inadequate government subvention and resources
  • The achievement of world standard boxers
  • Winning medals for Ghana in competitions and tournaments
  • The development of Amateur boxing in regions and districts
  • Development of effective infrastructure all over the country
  • Lack of employment for boxers
  • The premature transition from amateur to professional boxing

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