The Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) last friday, sealed water sponsorship deal with Voltic Ghana Limited at a brief but impressive ceremony held at the Media Centre of the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra.

The sponsorship package from Voltic comprises 70 cartons of Voltic mineral water (0.5L bottle) and 350 bags of Voltic sachet water all amounting to Three Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢3,000).

The deal which is for the period, August to December 2010, is aimed at supporting the Senior National Amateur Boxing Team (The Black Bombers) in their preparations towards the 2010 India Commonwealth Games and the Federation’s proposed National Model Team Week-end Training Camp.

Voltic, thus becomes the sole official water sponsor/provider of the Black Bombers for the period, August – December 2010.

In a brief speech before the signing of the deal, the Managing Director of Voltic Ghana limited, Mr Jason Schmidt emphasized that the sponsorship package which follows similar donation to the Black Stars, forms part of his company’s general support to the promotion and development of sports in Ghana. Flanked by his Brands Manager, Ms Ama Attah Armah, Mr Schmidt stated their willingness to donate more water to the Black Bombers should the need arise.

The president of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation, Mr Ray Quarcoo praised Voltic for ending the Federation’s long search for water to run the ‘steam engines’, the Black Bombers as they train towards the 2010 India Commonwealth Games. He appealed to other corporate bodies to come and assist the Black Bombers with cash or boxing materials.

The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Ruben Nii Nortey Dua expressed his Ministry’s gratitude to Voltic for their donation. He however pleaded that in future, the company could convert some of the products into cash for the National Amateur Boxing Team.

The Hon. Minister called on other Sporting Associations to emulate the shining example of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation by seeking for appropriate sponsorships since government alone cannot finance the total needs of various national teams under the Sports Ministry. He requested all sponsored Associations to disclose their sponsorship packages so the Ministry could activate tax exemptions for the sponsors.

Mr. Quarcoo used the occasion to outdoor sets of boxing kits secured through other sponsorships for the Black Bombers.

The Memorandum of understanding covering the sponsorship was signed by Messrs Schmidt and Quarcoo to seal the deal.

Present at the ceremony were the Black Bombers and their National Coaches, Executive Members of GABF as well as some Officials from the National Sports Council, including Mr. Ohene karikari, Deputy Chief Sports Development Officer, Ms Philippina Frimpong, Projects officer and Mr. Kwame Amponfi Jnr, Principal Sports Development Officer and Secretary General to the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation.

The Black Bombers are currently undergoing non-residential camping at the D.G. Hathiramani Sports Hall of the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium.

SIGNED:

KWAME AMPONFI JNR

SECRETARY GENERAL – GABF

Tel: (+233) 244-819096

E-mail: amateurboxing.gh@hotmail.com

amponfijnr@yahoo.com