Boxing News of Friday, 2 March 2012

Source: Sammy Heywood Okine

Bukom Banku to shake SWAG Awards

Braimah Kamoko alias Bukom Banku who has been nominated for the 2011 Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Professional Boxer of the year award has promised to shake the venue, the Banquet Hall of the State House when le lands with his new suit for an award that propels boxers to become world champions.

According to Bukom Banku the SWAG has monitored very well and seen that he is the best boxer, he has also promised to receive the prize with full pleasure and promise to lead him to greater heights like wearing a world title belt and signing big cheques.

The Bukom based light heavy weight boxer who is the only Ghanaian recognized among the top ten in the World Boxing Organisation rating as the second contender said the lack of promoters is a great hinder to the development of boxing in Ghana and he praised a few that have helped boxers like Golden Mike Promotion and Victor Ahiakpor of Heart of Lions fame who recently turned his attention to boxing.

According to Braimah Kamoko, boxing is the only sport that has brought the nation so many world titles by D.K. Poison, Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Nana Yaw Konadu, Alfred Kotey, Joshua Clottey, Joseph Agbeko winning various international title belts from the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and now the World Boxing Organisation in which he is rated and is in line to fight for the crown very soon.

Boasting an impressive record of 23 fights with no defeat and 16 KOs, he said patrons of the SWAG awards will see him perform his latest version of the Azonto dance which he claims to have invented.

He was also happy to be nominated in a season that young enterprising Andre Dede Ayew could sweep the best footballer and the Sports Personality of the year following his exploits in the season.

Bukom Banku who is also the World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) Champion said he wore a suit for the first time in his life to receive the World Boxing Organisation award and he will repeat in a different suit on that day to meet and greet all the most important sports personalities in Ghana.

Here is a list of the nominees for the 2011 SWAG awards to be held later in the year:

*NOMINEES FOR 2011 SWAG AWARDS*

* *

*SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR*

Ajara Mohamed - Two gold medalists at 2011 All Africa Games

Andre Ayew - Africa’s third best player/Consistent performer for club and national team

Harrison Afful - Winner of CAF Champions League with Esperance

*FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR *

Andre Ayew - Africa’s third best player/Consistent performer in Europe

Emmanuel Agyemang Badu - Consistent performance for Black Star/in Europe

Harrison Afful - Winner of CAF Champions League with Esperance Tunisia

*CLUB OF THE YEAR*

Nania FC - Excellent performance in FA Cup and Super Cup competitions

*NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR*

Black Meteors - Gold medalists at the All Africa Games

*ATHLETES OF THE YEAR*

Male: - Patrick Obeng – Silver medalists at All Africa Games

Female: - Ajara Mohamed –Two Gold medalists at All Africa Games

*COACH OF THE YEAR*

James Akwasi Appiah - Coach of Black Meteors/Gold medalist at All Africa Games

*HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE YEAR*

Male: Opoku Danso Aikings - Excellent performance for the national team and club

Female: Grace Mensah - Great performance in the year with club and national team

*PROFESSIONAL BOXER OF THE YEAR*

Braimah “Bukom Banku” Kamoko – Number two contender for WBO Light Heavy weight title, WBO- Africa Champion, World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) Champion.

*BADMINTON*

Solomon Nyarko / Daniel Sam - Bronze medalists at All African Games

*TAE-KWON DO*

Fatau Hassan - Bronze medalist at All African Games

*ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN OF THE YEAR*

Francis Adjetey-Sowah - Africa / Ghana Amputee Football Associations

*PROMISING STAR OF THE YEAR*

Ophelia Swain - The youngest best swimmer who participated at the All African Games

*DEDICATION AND VALOUR*

Margaret Simpson – For consistency and dedication to the cause of the nation

*SPECIAL AWARDS*

Beach Volleyball Team -Bronze medalists at All African Games

Aziz Zakari - Dedicated service to the nation in athletics

B.B. Bismark - A football administrator / former patron of SWAG