Former boxing heavy weight champion, Anthony Joshua, has paid a courtesy name on President John Dramani Mahama on the Presidency in Accra.
The British boxer was in Ghana over the weekend to take part in a boxing occasion dubbed ‘Battle of the Beasts’ organised by Legacy Rise Sports activities.
Receiving the previous champion yesterday, President Mahama extolled Joshua’s exploits and prayed he recaptured his belts once more.
“We want that Anthony will turn out to be nice once more as a result of we’ve seen many greats fall and rise and so hopefully, you’ll come again stronger,” President Mahama stated.
Ghana, President Mahama acknowledged has been a powerhouse in fielding for the reason that First Republic, however sadly the game declined over time.
Efforts to revive the curiosity within the sport have been put in place together with constructing a state-of-the-art boxing facility, the Bukom Enviornment, the President stated.
“The dream was constructed on hope that scouts will discover new skills. One in all my regrets is that we didn’t construct the Bukom Boxing Enviornment larger. We’d like a a lot larger area for the rising curiosity,” the President noticed.
Mr Mahama recommended his son, Sharaf, the mind behind the ‘Battle of the Beasts boxing occasion for his sustained curiosity in boxing over time.
“I allowed him to pursue his ardour. He began with soccer, then moved into boxing.I really consider we will increase future world champions,” a hopeful President Mahama stated.
He conferred on Anthony Joshua the ‘Ambassador for boxing in Africa’ and added that “Ghana is your house. In order for you a passport, we’ll gladly offer you one”.
On his half, Anthony Joshua stated coming to Ghana to witness the boxing evening was not an agenda on his calendar however couldn’t flip it down due to Ghana’s wealthy historical past in boxing.
“I’m amazed by the tradition and reception I’ve acquired since coming to Ghana.”
He recommended President Mahama for his insurance policies to revive Ghana sports activities and expressed his help for them.
Anthony Joshua disclosed that he was venturing right into a sector the place we will join Africa to the world.
Giving an account of developments within the sports activities sector up to now, Sports activities and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams, reported that the sector was responding nicely to the insurance policies of presidency.
“Soccer is performing nicely and athletics is gaining worldwide recognition once more,” he stated famous.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI