Black Rockets present Gold medals to NSA boss; Authority pledges support

Ghana’s national youth boxing team, the Black Rockets, recently celebrated their success. They presented their gold medals to Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA). This ceremony followed their victory at the Africa Youth Boxing Championship in Conakry.

The team was led by Gideon Pappoe, George Dowuona, and Mathias Ashitey. Each boxer won gold in their weight categories. Their achievements received high praise from Mr. Ampofo Ankrah.

In his speech, Mr. Ampofo Ankrah congratulated the young boxers on their success. He promised his full support for them moving forward. “We will definitely honor the boys,” he stated.

He also mentioned that Minister Kofi Iddie Adams is currently abroad. Once he returns, they will meet him to discuss further support for boxing.

Ben Quartey, President of the Ghana Boxing Federation, expressed joy over the team's success. He emphasized that this is just the beginning for these talented athletes. “We are committed to pushing them to even greater heights,” he said.

Dauda Fuseini, Vice President of the Federation, discussed financial challenges faced by the team. He noted it was difficult to secure funding before traveling to Conakry. “We had to explore various avenues,” he explained.

Fuseini called for sponsorships to support future competitions. Financial backing is crucial for participating in events like the World Championship in Liverpool later this year.

“This tournament will help assess our athletes’ readiness for the Commonwealth Games,” he added. Looking ahead to 2026, Fuseini requested continued support from NSA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

He urged them to assist with preparations for two major events next year: The Commonwealth Games in Scotland and the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

With promising talent and determination, the Black Rockets are a beacon of hope for Ghanaian boxing's future.