President Akufo-Addo has rewarded current IBF Lightweight champion, Richard Oblittey Commey with GHC 50,000 and a brand new car for defeating Russia’s Isa Chaniev.
Commey displayed a brilliant of performance to defeat Chaniev in just the second round to become the new IBF Lightweight Champion.
The boxer and his entourage paid a courtesy call on the President today after the victory and presented to him the berth.
Akufo-Addo however in his statement disclosed that the Sports Ministry headed by Honorable Isaac Asiamah have arranged to get him (Commey) a new Toyota car with a sum of GHC 50,000 to be added.
“They [the Sports Ministry] are going to buy you a car, they are in the process of arranging it from the Ministry. They will get you a nice Toyota car”, Akufo-Addo said during the visit.
” The office of the President is also adding Gh50,000 to it. It is a small token of our esteem and admiration for the honour you have brought our nation. Keep it up,” he added.
Commey however requested the President to use his good office to assist up and coming boxers to secure good deals that will propel them to become champions just like he has become.
“Some boxing managers and coaches enter into agreements without the consent of the boxer. This phenomenon does not help boxers. The government, the Sports ministry and the Ghana Boxing Authority must look at that aspect and deal with it. If dealt with, the country will have more world champions,” Commey said.
In response, Akufo-Addo stated he was impressed with the level of concern the boxer has shown for his fellow upcoming boxers.
“It is good that you raise this point today. I am impressed by the fact that you are not just talking about yourself and your own achievement, but that you are reaching out to show concern about others who may be following your trail. It tells a lot about yourself and the kind of person you are,” he said.
Akufo-Addo called on the Sports Ministry to ensure that “in the future, whatever arrangements are entered into on behalf of Ghanaian boxers, are ones that balances all the interest of promoters, managers, as well as the boxers”.
