Accra, July 10, GNA - Mr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, Minister of Youth and Sports (MYS) has sent a goodwill message to Joseph Agbeko as he prepares to defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight title against Vic Darchinyan on Armenia on Saturday, July 11, in the United States of America (USA).

A statement signed on behalf of the Minister by Mr Kofi Aggrey, Public Relations Manager of the Ministry said Ghanaians have full confidence in the ability of Agbeko to overcome the odds and fight hard to rekindle the national pride.

The statement said, "We believe that you will go into the forthcoming fight with determination and purposefulness, as you have done in the past to win the victors crown for yourself and dear motherland, Ghana.

"You're currently Ghana's only World Boxing Champion and therefore all the good people of Ghana will look up to you to successfully defend the belt and bring it back home, where it belongs to".

The statement said "you will not be in the ring alone in far away USA but all Ghanaians both home and abroad are firmly behind you in prayers and in spirit".

The statement also commended Agbeko for taking his training scheduled serious since his arrival in the USA as he takes on one of the toughest assignments since becoming the champion. 10 July 09