by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 2, 2024 | Boxing, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Abigail Quartey, who clinched the WIBF Super Bantamweight Championship after defeating Sangeeta Birdi of the Umitef Kingdom on November 25, is aiming for greater success in her boxing career. Speaking on Omashi TV’s The Big Fight Night, Quartey revealed that her journey has been challenging, often marked by long breaks from training due to a lack of activity in the sport.
Quartey expressed immense gratitude to her coach, Ebenezer Adjei, popularly known as “Coach Killer,” for his guidance and support, which she credits for her recent triumph. She believes her victory will inspire more female boxers in Ghana to pursue their dreams.
Notably, Quartey draws inspiration from herself rather than external idols or favorite boxers. She called on the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) Women’s Commission, the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), and the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) to acknowledge her accomplishments and provide adequate support to inspire other athletes, especially female boxers.
With a professional record of 10 bouts, including 9 wins and just one loss—sustained in the UAE a week before her championship victory—Quartey is optimistic about her future, declaring, “The sky is bright for more success.”
Ghana’s first female professional boxer, Naa Yarley Achia Bronie I, also known as “Yarkor Chavez,” graced the Omashi TV studio to offer her blessings and advice. She encouraged Quartey to remain focused and obedient to her coaches, emphasizing these qualities as crucial for success in boxing.
Despite boxing’s significant contributions to Ghana, producing 11 world champions, fans and athletes alike feel the sport has not received adequate recognition from the government. Quartey’s victory is a reminder of the untapped potential within Ghanaian boxing, especially among women.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 2, 2024 | Boxing, Ghana, Other Sports
Joseph Commey, the newly crowned UBO Lightweight Champion, and his coach, Ebenezer Adjei, also known as “Killer,” have made a heartfelt plea to their supporters to avoid hooliganism and unnecessary confrontations after boxing events.
Speaking on Omashi TV last Friday, the duo expressed disappointment over incidents of unrest that occurred in Ga Mashie following Commey’s victory against Richmond Ashelley in a thrilling bout for the UBO Lightweight title.
Commey, a silver medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and gold medalist at the 2023 African Games, has rapidly risen to prominence. His victory in the IBA special tournament in Ethiopia secured him an opportunity to contest for a title in his first professional match, where he captivated fans with his skill and determination.
Coach Adjei emphasized that boxing is their livelihood, a source of business and entertainment, and urged fans not to tarnish the reputation of Ghanaian boxing. He encouraged those interested in fighting to channel their energy into the sport through proper training.
He credited the success of Black Panthers Gym to a strong work ethic and a relentless desire to excel. Adjei also highlighted his role in training fighters like Ben Ankrah, who defeated Stephen Coffie on the Ayitey Powers bill.
Commey, affectionately called “Jaguar,” dedicated his UBO title to Coach Adjei and the Black Panthers Gym, where he has trained since the age of five. He shared that his ultimate goal is to secure major titles, particularly the WBC belt, and expressed gratitude to Box Office Promotions for providing him the platform to begin his professional journey.
Commey acknowledged his toughest fight so far was against Ashelley due to its professional intensity and named Ryan Garcia as his favorite boxer.
On the same program, WIBF Champion Abigail Quartey expressed gratitude to Coach Adjei, attributing her success to his mentorship. Naa Naa Yarley Achia Bronie, popularly known as “Yarkor Chavez,” a trailblazer in Ghanaian female professional boxing, also appeared to congratulate the champions and inspire female boxers to remain focused and hardworking.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 29, 2024 | Athletics, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Giving back to one’s community is a noble endeavor, but certain challenges beyond an individual’s control can hinder such good intentions. This is the unfortunate reality faced by Elorm Amenakpor, a Ghanaian athletics coach based in the United States.
In his efforts to support the development of young athletes in Ghana, Coach Elorm ordered medals worth $300 from China for the Ghana Junior Olympics. However, upon the shipment’s arrival in Ghana, he was required to pay clearance fees exceeding twice the cost of the items. While he understands the importance of customs taxes, he expressed frustration over charges that far outweigh the value of the goods, calling it an unnecessary burden.
Speaking to the media, Coach Elorm lamented how these situations discourage well-meaning individuals from giving back to their homeland. He urged authorities and port officials to reevaluate their policies regarding the clearance of sports equipment, emphasizing that high costs deter altruistic efforts to contribute to the nation’s growth, particularly in sports development.
In closing, Coach Elorm highlighted how such barriers can dissuade people from making impactful contributions to their home communities, despite their best intentions.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 29, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Ghanaian para-sports delegate Michael Obeng received an honorary award at the 2024 Korean Paralympic Camp (KPC) held in Incheon, South Korea.
Obeng joined 60 participants, including athletes, coaches, and officials from various nations, for an enriching eight-day program. The camp featured special lectures, cultural tours, sports training in swimming, badminton, and Taekwondo, and ceremonies showcasing the legacy of past camps.
All participants, including Obeng and his team, were awarded medals and certificates of participation. In his closing remarks, Obeng thanked the camp organizers and Samson Deen, President of the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana, for the opportunity to attend.
“We have learned so much and look forward to sharing this knowledge back home in Ghana,” Obeng stated.
The camp, which ran from November 5–13, 2024, emphasized skill development and international collaboration in para-sports.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 28, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Other Sports
Top fencing nations, including the United States, Hong Kong, Egypt, and others, will converge in Lagos for the 2024 Men’s Junior Epee Fencing World Cup, set to take place on December 14-15.
The prestigious event, hosted by Charterhouse Lagos, marks a historic milestone as Nigeria becomes the first Sub-Saharan African country to host a fencing World Cup.
Countries such as Ghana, Senegal, Greece, Angola, Togo, Benin Republic, and Nigeria will join the two-day championship. Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, described the selection of Nigeria as a testament to its growing global recognition in the sport.
“We are thrilled to host this significant event and grateful to Charterhouse Lagos for their support. This is a groundbreaking moment for Nigeria and Africa, reflecting our progress since hosting the African Championships in 2018 and 2020,” Samuel stated.
The event is expected to offer Nigerian fencers, including teenagers Shemilore Fashola and Wisdom Okanlawon, a platform to compete against top global athletes while earning valuable points for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualifiers.
Charterhouse Lagos Director of Education, John Todd, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the institution’s dedication to fostering youth participation in fencing.
With nine Nigerian fencers participating in individual and team events, the tournament promises to elevate the profile of fencing in the region.
