19th February, 2011


ATTN: THE EDITOR

PRESS RELEASE


Ahmed Saraku Set To Join ‘The Memphis Force’ In The
United States Of America

Under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Ray Quarcoo, the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation(GABF) has succeeded in developing a very good working and mutually beneficial relationship with AIBA and other AIBA affiliated countries/Federations.

Recently, the GABF succeeded in working out a World Series Boxing(WSB) Franchise training program for two Ghanaian amateur boxers, namely: Maxwell Amponsah(Astana Arlans, Kazakhstan) and Commonwealth Bronze medalist, Yekeni Awusone (Beijin Dragons, China).

Ahmed Saraku, Ghana’s 75 Kg amateur boxer is the third Ghanaian amateur boxer set to sign with a WSB Franchise.

Ahmed is set to leave the country on Sunday, 20th February, 2011 to Memphis in the United States of America to participate in the WSB for MEMPHIS FORCE, a WSB franchisee.

The WSB is the World’s first league tournament for professional-style boxing. It is organized by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), which is the world governing body for amateur boxing recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

AIBA’s introduction of this new program in professional style boxing will mark a new era in the sport; reuniting the broader boxing world and its grassroots amateur foundation by providing a bridge between Olympic and Professional boxing.

The WSB is a competition that will not only offer amateur boxers long term security, a guaranteed salary and regular competitive boxing at the highest level, but that will also allow them to retain their eligibility for the Olympic Games.

Ahmed’s participation will provide a return in investment for the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF).

Under the terms, Ahmed will be permitted to participate in(the Franchise will be required to release him for) the Olympic Games and any other related qualifying tournaments, and in the event that no such tournaments take place in any year, the boxer will also be permitted to represent his National Federation by participating in AIBA sanctioned tournaments.



Ahmed Saraku(left) being declared winner in a bout.



The term of the boxer’s contract will initially be a period of three whole seasons of the World Series of Boxing.

Regarding remuneration, subject to the payment by the franchisee of at least a minimum salary fixed for each boxer by WSB, Franchisees and Boxers will negotiate between themselves as to the salary, remuneration, bonuses and other benefits that will be payable by the franchise to the boxer.

The Franchisee will also be responsible for paying to the boxer any other employee benefits which are mandated by local employment laws.

Ahmed is scheduled to return to Ghana on March 24th as the first season for the Memphis Force team ends on March 17th and then move back to the States
in August to prepare for the second season of the WSB.


The participation of Ghanaian boxers in the WSB is just a component of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation’s medium to long term development plan.


Find more information on the WSB at www. worldseriesboxing.com



SIGNED
DOMINIC KANKAM
AG. SECRETARY GENERAL
TEL: +233-273-202946
EMAIL: amateurboxing.gh@hotmail.com