Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) President, Mr. George Lamptey is unhappy about the absence of Ghana at the ongoing 2021 World Boxing Championships in Belgrade due to financial challenges.
The biggest amateur boxing event is slated for October 25 to November 6 with Ghana’s Black Bombers conspicuously missing despite a bronze medal feat from the last Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Speaking to the Times Sports, Mr. Lamptey said it was frustrating to see boxers prepare for such championship; only for their efforts to come to nothing.
“We did our best to prepare the boxers but unfortunately, nothing was done about the budget we presented. It was the same ‘no money story. We owe so much already so until the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) steps in, we cannot do anything.”
In his view, the championship dubbed the AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships was very a very important feature on the AIBA calendar and usually attended by the very best boxers around the globe.
He said in the case of Ghana, only one boxer, Jesse Lartey qualified so money should never have been an obstacle.
“We have written to the Youth and Sports ministry but nothing has been done about it.”
Mr. Lamptey said the lack of support has made the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) indebted to a number of individuals and organisations and is faced with threats of suit to retrieve monies they owe.
“I am threatened everyday with lawsuits over the debts we owe. We have not paid for the services we went for ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games from which we won a bronze medal. We have not settled accommodation and feeding debts; this is very frustrating.
He appealed to the Youth and Sports ministry to hasten the process for the payment of the $5,000 promised the athletes by the government in order settle some of their indebtedness.
“We are now hoping that the bonuses promised us by the president, Nana Akufo-Addo will be honoured soon. We owe so much; we can use some to offset the debts.”
BY ANDREW NORTEY
