On January 3, 2021, George Lamptey, President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), praised James C. Nortey and the Besesaka Boxing Project for organizing the Besesaka Boxing Day Tournament on December 26, 2020, at Bukom Sports Field in Accra.
The event identified 10 juvenile boxing champions who received scholarships to support their education and training, fostering talent in Bukom, a renowned boxing hub.
Scholarship Recipients Train
The 10 selected boxers—three girls and seven boys—began training on January 2, 2021, at Attoh Quarshie Boxing Gym in James Town, Accra. The group includes Ebenezer Ankrah (14, New Era), Emmanuel Doemoh (12, Sempe), William Laryea (12, Alko Int.), Millicent Dodoo (10), Caleb Dadzie (13, Sempe), Edward Bonah (11, St. Mary’s), Najat Naa Norley Lokko (11, Happy Days), Caleb Mensah (14, Universal), and Rahman Ablorh, the first juvenile discovered. Each received training gear, including shoes, shirts, shorts, gloves, headgear, underwear, mouthguards, and hand wraps, plus three-year educational scholarships and monthly provisions.
Coaching and Mentorship
Coaches Sowah Thompson, Vincent Akai Nettey, Carl Lokko, and Dr. Akwasi Ofori Asare led the training session, emphasizing discipline and care for the donated items. Duke Micah, a WBO-rated boxer and newly appointed Amateur Boxing Ambassador, trained alongside the juveniles, urging them to take their boxing and studies seriously. “Be thankful to Besesaka and stay obedient,” Micah advised, highlighting their potential as future stars.
Besesaka’s Mission
Former footballer James C. Nortey, who played for Right to Dream and Denmark’s Akademisk Boldklub, founded the Besesaka Boxing Project to support underprivileged but talented youth in Bukom and nearby areas. The initiative aims to nurture boxing skills while ensuring educational opportunities, addressing challenges like poverty that drive many to the sport.
Lamptey’s Vision for Boxing
Lamptey, a key figure in Ghana’s boxing revival, expressed satisfaction with the tournament’s success in unearthing talent. As GBF President, he has championed juvenile boxing, securing scholarships through partnerships like the Besesaka Foundation and advocating for more competitions to develop young boxers for events like the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Bukom’s Boxing Legacy
Bukom, a coastal neighborhood in Accra, has produced eight world champion boxers, including Azumah Nelson and Samuel Takyi, who won bronze at Tokyo 2020. The Besesaka tournament, held at the Bukom Boxing Arena, reinforces the area’s role as a boxing mecca, with initiatives like these fostering the next generation of Black Bombers.
