Almost every licenced professional boxer is supporting the health screening initiative of the Interim Management Committee of Ghana Boxing which started on Monday at the Lapaz Community Hospital.

The initiative is part of the recommendations of the Lawyer Amarkai Amarteifio investigative committee that was set up after the passing of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwsegun.

The National Sports Authority (NSA), under the supervision of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation (MoSR) has teamed up with Star Assurance to organize the health screening exercise for all registered Ghanaian  boxers. The screening started with registration at the Jamestown Police Station then boxers are conveyed to the Lapaz Community Hospital for the mandatory laboratory tests

The boxers who want to be captured unto the database of the independent Medical and Safety Commission (MSC) responded positively in exclusive chats with Yours Truly.

Led by Abu Kamoko aka Ambitious Tilapia, the pugilists thanked Star Assurance for their sponsorship and hoped that it would be successful.

Other boxers who spoke were Daniel Gorsh. Abraham Tetteh, Africanus Neequaye, Henry Malm, Ben Ankrah, Stephen Coffie, Alfred Lamptey and Coach Ebenezer Adjei.

Senior coach Dr. Ofori Asare who is a member of the IMC advised that the health screening exercise is part of the prerequisite for the mandatory re-registration of all Ghanaian Boxers willing and able to fight under the flag of Ghana. 

He also commended Star Assurance and urged all boxer to participate and cooperate.

Dr. Philip Amekudzi of the Lapaz Community Hospital expressed that the tests would include mandatory medical tests necessary to ensure that all boxers are healthy and fit to compete.

He noted that they have the modern machines to test many ailments and advised them to obey their coaches and take enough rest to regain their energies.

Mr. Roland Ofei Ansah, Retail Salesman of Star Assurance Group said the programme is part of our broader initiative to promote athlete safety, longevity, and professionalism in Ghanaian boxing.

He hinted that the exercise is expensive however they want to contribute to the safety of Ghana's talented athletes.

Mr. Gideon Oyiadzo, Coordinator of the IMC who was glad with the way the boxers can out in numbers to register said the suspension has been lifted and they have sanctioned a bill in Tarkwa which is going to test the ground on the new line taken to ensure that boxing is organised well in Ghana.

He said a stakeholders meeting has been fixed for Tuesday November 26 at the Accra Sports Stadium to further plan the way forward for the sport.

By Sammy Heywood Okine