Accra, May 26, GNA --- Napoleon Tagoe, former World Boxing Council (WBC) Cruiserweight Continental Champion has appealed to the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports to divert more funds towards the development and promotion of boxing in the country.

He said the sport has witnessed a decline in recent times due to inadequate funding for its development and promotion.

Tagoe told the GNA Sports that 93if the authorities could pay between 6,000 and 10,000 dollars to boxers who win medals at international events, I believe they can raise similar amounts for the purchase of equipments for the various gyms in the country=94. Tagoe, now a trainer in charge of Willpower Boxing Gym, said all the boxers who win medals at international events are raised from the local gyms, hence there is the need for a special attention to be shifted unto the gyms to unearth more talents.

According to the former champion, a time will come when the nation will no longer have boxers to defend the flag of Ghana if the gyms are neglected, adding that they are the bed rock of boxing in the country. He noted that the neglect of the various gyms by the NSC and the ministry is the cause of the massive reduction in the number of medals at international events.

Tagoe noted with regret the recent situation where the nation returned with just a medal in boxing from the Commonwealth Games, adding that it confirms the assertion that the sport is 91suffering=92. =93In this modern era when computer scoring systems are being used, we still rely on the manual system and this has been one of major bane at international events=94.

=93Because our boys are not used to the system it always goes against them and we end up coming home with empty hands, but I believe the provision of these systems to the gyms will correct these defects=94, the former champion suggested.

The former boxer also attributed the high rate of unemployment, especially in some communities of Accra to the low level of development of the sport.

Tagoe said because the gyms are not equipped enough to accommodate more of the youth they have no option than to idle or look elsewhere to get themselves busy.

He, however, expressed the hope that the NSC and the Ministry will come to terms with the situation and strengthen the gyms to train more boxers.