Boxing fans in Ghana have plenty to rejoice over as the sport continues to grow. A boxing gym/arena located close to Korle Lagoon in Accra is drawing close to completion. The sports complex is expected to seat 7,000 and is tentatively set to open this September.

President John Dramani Mahama first mentioned the site’s construction to Ghana’s Parliament in his State of The Nation address last February.

“A new boxing and sports complex being built by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) near the Korle Lagoon will be commissioned this year. This will give opportunity to young people in Bukom and surrounding areas who have the passion for boxing to realise their dreams,” said Mahama during the address.

The open-air edifice will feature additional facilities such as a conference hall, shops, a restaurant, a clinic, an aerobics gym, a school block, a seating and standing area for the physically challenged, a swimming pool and also physiotherapy and spa.

Nicholas Francis, Project Manager for Trust Sports Emporium Limited (the construction firm building the arena), spoke to Bukomboxingnews.com during a tour of the construction site.

“Work is going on feverishly and by September this year it will be completed,” said Francis. “Last month President John Mahama was here to inspect the stadium, and he was very happy with the progress of work.”

“Those who love boxing in the country will be smiling at last because they will be having the boxing gym they have been craving for the past years. My outfit is putting everything in place to meet the September date. The arena will have a lot of facilities, and it will be one of the boxing arenas in West Africa,” he added.