Ghana Needs More Boxing Arenas - Ike Quartey

Former two-time world champion who held the WBA welterweight title, Ike 'Bazooka' Quartey has said, the country needs more boxing arenas to be able to produce more world champions.

His comment comes following the commissioning of the newly built Bukom boxing arena which was officially opened by the President of the republic, John Mahama.

“We need more boxing arenas to produce more boxing champions for Ghana.

"We thank God for such an arena in Bukom and another arena will aid Ghana boxing,” Quartey said.

“Projects such as this are needed in the country, at least more than five will help to showcase our talents to the world.”

"I remember I didn’t get something like this, but I believe now that the world is changing ultra-modern sports boxing facilities are needed in a boxing country like Ghana," he stressed.

According to the former champion, facilities such as an arena in the regional capital will be of help hence the decision to construct the sports Emporium will go a long way to unearth talents for Ghana.

Quartey is a member of Accra's Ga tribe. He is the youngest of 27 children. His father reportedly had five wives. His older brother Isaac Quartey won a silver medal in the 1960 Olympics.

Quartey had an amateur record of 50-4, and represented Ghana as a Light Welterweight at 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

President John Mahama commissioned the ultra-modern boxing arena on Tuesday night, the Trust Sports Emporium.

The inauguration ceremony attracted thousands of people including former boxing champions, Joseph 'King Kong' Agbeko, Azumah Nelson, Alfred Quartey, Ike Quartey, Emmanuel Clottey and others including a host of states Ministers; Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, Alfred Oko Vanderpuye, Ade Coker, Harry Zakour and Dr Nyaho Tamakloe, chiefs and faithfuls to the 4,000-seater arena.

Source: Romeo Oduro/UTV