Accra, Jan 31, GNA - The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has directed promoters and managers of boxers to submit their wards to its medical committee headed by Dr S.A. Quaye for examination before they are cleared to fight.

The new guideline takes precedence over the former arrangements where managers and promoters supervised medical examinations of their wards before fights.

With regard to foreign bouts, the promoters and managers are to submit their boxers who have been contracted to fight outside the country to the Department of Haematology, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, through the Chairman of the medical committee for them to be tested before they are given the nod to fight. The new directives are contained in a new guideline prepared by the GBA for 2006.

The document endorsed by the Chairman, Mr Moses Foh-Amoaning stated that request for release letters regarding foreign travels, must be submitted to the secretariat of the GBA six weeks ahead of the scheduled fight or else all requests that falls short of the stated period would not be attended to, except under exceptional circumstances. The GBA would in addition demand for receipt of the purchase of tickets for managers, boxers and trainers before issuing a release letter.

Promoters and managers who would also negotiate for championship fights for their wards are to make provision for a Ghanaian or neutral referee/judge to officiate in the said contest to ensure fairness. On the renewal of licences, the GBA entreated all managers, promoters, trainers, ring officials and all its licensees to renew their licences and that of their wards for the New Year. The GBA however noted that all national-rated boxers as well as those rated by the international bodies, following a unanimous decision at the promoters and managers meeting on March 1, last year are to submit annual insurance cover before being issued with licences or have their old licences renewed.