Boxing News of Friday, 14 September 2018

Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

Ambassador Quarcoo’s boxing heritage benefits Ghana

Ambassador Ray Quarcoo has led in the success stories of Ghana's boxing Ambassador Ray Quarcoo has led in the success stories of Ghana's boxing

GHANA’S Goodwill Sports Ambassador, Ray Quarcoo, has been invited for the Ahmed Juma International Boxing tournament in Turkey.

His invitation was in recognition of his immense contribution to the growth of the pugilistic sport, especially on the continent and the world in general.

Three of Ghana’s deluxe amateur boxers left for Turkey to participate in the event which began on Monday. The boxers were welterweight Jessie Lartey (69kg), Ghana’s only bronze medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, light welterweight Wahid Omar (64kg) and bantamweight Suleman Tetteh, (56kg).

Ghana’s involvement in the tournament was schemed by the Goodwill Sports Ambassador.

Indeed, as far back as 2013, Ambassador Quarcoo, succeeded in striking a productive deal with their Turkish counterparts which included a joint training exercise and international friendly competitions.

“I’m happy that today Ghana is benefiting from that partnership and I strongly believe it would go a long way to place our boxing at the apex,” the seasoned boxing administrator told the Times Sports on Wednesday.

Ambassador Quarcoo was invited as the Special Guest of Honour at the tournament which is in honour of Turkish Olympian, Ahmed Juma.

It is said that the history of Ghana sports in general, and boxing, in particular, will not be complete without the mention of Ambassador Ray Quarcoo, former president of Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) and the Black Stars Management member.

Indeed, his tenure in office saw drastic changes in the pugilistic sport; right from securing of sponsorship kits, courses and seminars for coaches in and outside Ghana as well as rebranding amateur boxing to regular boxing leagues.

Of the world titlists, Ghana has produced from the 70s till today, including Ike Quartey, Alfred Kotey, Nana Yaw Konadu, Joshua Clottey, Joseph Abgeko, Emmanuel Tagoe and Isaac Dogboe, the iconic sports administrator has had a hand in their success stories.

He played major roles to ensure that former world champions like Ike Quartey, Alfred Kotey, Joshua Clottey, Joseph Abgeko and currently Isaac Dogboe put Ghana on the world map.

He took particular interest in current WBO Super Bantamweight champion Dogboe in securing a Ghanaian passport, accommodated him (Dogboe) at his (H.E. Quarcoo) Bridge Boxing Gym accommodation at Roman Ridge, Accra, and ensured that the boxer participated in the 2012 Olympics.