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In order to discuss methods to improve Ghana’s sports industry, British boxing sensation Anthony Joshua made a courtesy call to President John Dramani Mahama at Jubilee House.
On Monday, June 16, the President’s son Sharaf Mahama, Kofi Adams, the Minister for Youth and Sports, and other sports leaders attended the meeting. Adams is the CEO of Legacy Rise Sports.
While in Accra to compete in the Legacy Rise Sports-hosted boxing competition known as “Battle of the Beasts,” Anthony Joshua praised the friendly welcome he has received in Ghana. He promised to use his international connections to help bring in investment to Ghana’s sports industry and Africa as a whole.
“Sports has got me in a room like this, so I understand the importance of talking with my fists but also how influential sports can be and the type of rooms you can get into,” Joshua stated.
“I’ve been calling friends and speaking about ways that we can bring investment into Ghana, Africa, because I understand some of your policies and what you’re trying to do. And from a sportsman’s perspective, I understand sports is short-lived and we cross over into business,” he added.
In response, President Mahama praised the heavyweight fighter for his participation in the recent boxing tournament and for honoring the nation with his visit.
He bemoaned the deterioration of Ghana’s sporting facilities, blaming it on years of disregard. The President used the Bukom Boxing Arena, which was built during his administration, as an illustration of an effort to bring sports development back to life.
“Unfortunately, over the years things have gone down and that’s what we tried to revive. That’s why we set up the Bukom Boxing Arena. It’s actually an academy because it has hostels, classrooms and all that,” President Mahama clarified.
Although he acknowledged that the arena’s ambition had stopped after the January 2017 government change, he expressed optimism that his current administration will be able to breathe new life into the project.
He joked that he had thought the arena’s original 4,000-seat capacity was adequate, implying that he is now amenable to expanding it. “We have the opportunity to take it up again,” he remarked.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
