After an exciting opening Parade and Ceremony on Monday night, the tournament field draw has been completed and the AIBA, world boxing championship in Chicago is underway with all 5 members of the Black Bombers drawing a bye on the opening action day at the UIC Pavilion here.

Samir Issah and Awusone Yekeni will be the first of the 5 member boxing team to start the long journey of winning medals and also qualify for the Olympic Games in China next year from this tournament.

Samir , a feather weight, 57 Kilogram, will be the first member of the Black Bombers to set the tone for the rest of the team when he takes on Imanov Shahin of Azerbaijan today , October 24, 2007 in the morning session which starts at 11:00 A.M. There are 57 boxers competing in the featherweight division in the tournament. Awusome Yekeni will follow Samir in the evening session when he takes on Chinula Yamiko of New Zealand in the Heavy Weight class which has 46 boxers in the tournament.

Smallish but courageous Manyo Plange is expected to win over Yang Bo of China when the two meet on October 25 2007 in the fly weight division. The bout is scheduled in the morning session which starts at 11:00 A.M. There are 47 boxers competing for honors in the division. Light Weight sensation, Frederick Lawson will lock horns with Azimov Muhtarhan from Kazakhstan in the evening of October 25 2007. A total of 55 boxers are in the tournament in the 60 kg weight class. Saraku Ahmed will see action in the Middle Weight division on October 27 2007 against an opponent yet to be named when he drew a bye in the opening rounds of the tournament.

Medal hopeful and team Captain, Bastie Samir could not make his weight and thus disqualified from the tournament.

The head Coach of the Black Bombers, Roberto Chavez was expected to arrive in Chicago late yesterday to join the team. His assistant Ofori Asare , is however with the team since they arrived a few days ago in Chicago.

Charles J.Ayeh,leader of the Ghanaian delegation assured Ghanaians home and abroad that his boys are ready to win big in Chicago and also qualify for the Olympic Games later next year in China. Other members of the delegation includes; Solomon Offei Darko,Team Manager, Dr. Nyamekye Quarcoo,Team Doctor and Richard O. Lamptey, Asistant Team Manager .

Members of the Ghanaian community here in Chicago led by Reuben Hadzide, President of the Ghana National Council, and John Henry Assabill, President –Elect, visited members of the Black Bombers and their officials lodging at the Palma House Hilton Hotel in Down Town Chicago yesterday to wish the team well. The visit was a great moral booster to members of the Black Bombers. There was enthusiastic rendition of Ghanaian patriotic songs during the visit.

Meanwhile there are plans by the GNC here to get the Chicago “Kpalogo” group to cheer the team at the UIC Pavilion. Members of the community who need free tickets to attend the tournament should email anomantu@msn.com.