Accra, Dec. 21, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Tuesday announced that Government was determined to put in the necessary measures to restore Ghanaian boxing to its former glory and for the country to take its right of place in the nations of sports.

He said sports talents and potential must be nurtured and developed, adding that the nation was grateful to the various achievements chalked by the country's sports men and women in various sporting feats.

President Mills was full of praise to the International Boxing Federation title holder, Joseph Agbeko, when he presented the title he reclaimed from Yonny Perez to him at a short ceremony at the Osu Castle in Accra on Tuesday.

He wished the pugilist more laurels in his career and extended a merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all Ghanaians.

President Mills said the nation would acknowledge in concrete terms it= s appreciation to the feat of Agbeko, adding on a lighter side that he the President was in a bout of which he was leading on points, and was sure he would give his opponent a technical knock out in round four in an apparent reference to the 2012 Presidential polls.

Agbeko thanked Ghanaians for their physical and spiritual support that contributed to his victory in an away encounter.

While expressing appreciation to God for the victory, Agbeko also thanked President Mills for sending a delegation to support him in his figh= t that encouraged to put in his best performance. Agbeko appealed for more Government support to enable more young men enter into the boxing not only as a sport but as a means of generating employment and poverty reduction.

Mr Samir Captan, Chairman of the Ghana Boxing Association (GBA) praise= d the unifying power of the sport, saying, "after the fight Ghanaians were united in the celebration of the victory"

He appealed for more Government support to build more boxing arenas, gymnasiums and to support the private gyms with the supply of boxing equipment.

The Chairman urged the National Sports Council and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to endeavour to carve out programmes to enable boxers to be employed in the security services.

Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Youth and Sports announced that some private companies had expressed interest to support and develop boxing in Ghana.