Experienced sports administrator, Mr Patrick Johnson, has returned to the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) as Secretary General.
This followed a request by the GBA to the National Sports Authority (NSA) to fill the vacuum created by Johnson’s exit after a fracas with the former President of the GBA, Mr Abraham Kotei Neequaye.
At a meeting of the GBA board on Tuesday, Mr Johnson was introduced to the board members to begin another term with the Authority, having worked in two administrations under Mr Moses Foh-Amoaning and Mr Peter Zwennes.
His return was also part of broader reforms to revamp the administration of the sport in line with recommendations by the Ministerial Committee set up to investigate circumstances surrounding the death of a Nigerian boxer.
Speaking to The Times Sports, Mr Johnson expressed delight in returning to the GBA and thanked board members and various stakeholders for the overwhelming welcome.
“I am happy to be back to the fraternity. The GBA is one of the federations very dear to me. I have come to support the current administration to achieve their goals,” he stated.
Mr Johnson, who also doubles as Vice President of the African Boxing Promotions Commissions (ABPC), identified the struggles for Ghanaian boxers to get into major rankings despite their quality as one area he hope to draw the board’s attention to.
“Our boxers are very good. They build very good records but strangely don’t find their ways into the major rankings. That makes it difficult for them to land major fights. I will support the management of the GBA to address this problem,” he added.
BY ANDREW NORTEY