Accra, Dec. 17, GNA - The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports has sent a congratulatory message to Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko for successfully defending and retaining his International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight title against William Jose Gonzalez of Nicaragua of last Friday.

The Ministry has sent similar message to the national under-21 team, the Black Satellites for wining the novelty West Africa Football Union (WAFU) under-21 tournament played in Nigeria recently as well as qualifying for the Africa Youth Championship in Rwanda early next year.

The Ministry has also sent a congratulatory message to the local components of the Black Stars for qualifying to the maiden edition of the Championship of Africa Nations, to be held in Cote d'Ivoire next year.

A statement signed by Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah Deputy Minister at the Ministry said, the achievements have bought the 2008 sports calendar to a remarkable end and has also set the stage for accelerated sports development in 2009.

The statement said the Ministry is committed towards the provision of sports facilities especially multi-purpose sports hall and courts to boost development of all sporting disciplines in the country.