The Executive board of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) and key stakeholder groups have given the National Sports Authority (GBA) the strongest indication of their readiness to administer the sport in the country.
The point was made at a crucial meeting with the NSA on Tuesday as the GBA sought to inform the NSA about its intended organization of an Extraordinary Congress tentatively for Saturday.
Tuesday’s meeting ended in a deadlock as both entities stayed to their respective positions as the NSA failed to withdraw plans to put in place an administrative committee to manage the sport and the GBA insisting that there was no need for such a body.
The decision to put in place an administrative structure followed misunderstanding between the GBA under its previous leader, Mr Abraham Kotei Neequaye, and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation/NSA over findings and recommendations of a fact-finding committee set up by the Ministry to investigate circumstances surrounding the death of a Nigerian boxer in a Ghanaian ring.
According to the GBA executive led by Acting President, Mr Roger Barnor, the current term of the GBA expires on July 22, arguing that there would be a vacuum if a new team was not elected.
He explained that there was an absolute peace among the board members as well as the key stakeholder bodies of the Authority, adding that meetings have been held peacefully until Tuesday’s meeting with the NSA.
“At this very moment, there is absolute calm in the GBA. There is no problem whatsoever that should warrant a delayed or suspended extraordinary congress.”
According to him, the reconstituted executive is enjoying the goodwill of the membership, a situation he described as very cordial and encouraging ahead of the crucial congress.
At the Congress, the GBA hoped to solicit the view of members on the roadmap to elections or seek extension of the current mandate to plan the election.
However, the NSA Director General, Mr Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has insisted that he was in no position to make promises until consultations have been made.
According to him, in making progress, it was important to consider ways by which recommendations of the ministerial committee can be implemented to improve the ecosystem of the sport.
“I have heard you but I am not making any promise. I have to consult and get back to you but I can assure you that we are on the same page together – we all have the interest of Ghana boxing at heart,” he indicated.
BY ANDREW NORTEY