Young Boxing Referees Kotey And Nettey Aim To Become World Class Officials

… Only Four Out Of 42 Newly Trained GBA Referee / Judges Are Active, Three Others Report Occasionally

It has been disclosed that only four out of 42 newly trained referee /judges of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) are very active and officiate sanctioned bouts.

The GBA course was held for two days at The Gym Boxing Club, Accra on Thursday, December 1st and Friday, December 2nd, 2022.

In an exclusive interview on ‘The Big Fight Night’ on Omashi TV, last Friday two of the very active ring officials expressed that they are passionate and desirous of achievement in the game so they are investing in themselves and hope they will reap massively in future as great world class referees.

Boxing Ghana Referee of the Year 2024, Nathaniel Neequaye Kotey, a marketing student at Methodist University as well as employee of Multichoice and David Nettey of Accra Technical University studying building technology told Yours Truly they want to become like best international referees and their mentors, the late J.A. Annan, known as the doyen of Ghana Boxing, experienced Roger Barnor, enterprising Erasmus Owoo and the famous Ataa Eddie Pappoe.

They revealed not eager for immediate success or getting traveling opportunities but contributing to the boxing industry to develop and be more attractive.

Kotey said he was motivated by the GBA President Abraham Neequaye who happens to be his uncle, while David Nettey took inspiration from his dad, Vincent Akai Nettey,  a national Black Bombers coach and head trainer at the Attoh Quarshie Boxing Club.

“Initially I was supporting in training of young boxers at the gym, and I decided to add refereeing when the opportunity came” he said.

Both are of the opinion that Ghana Boxing is not down or losing its attraction depending on the way one sees it.

However, to them there are many good young hot boxers who are ready to excel, however the issues may be with finance and equipment.

They called for more investment and sponsorship in boxing, because the sport has proved since 1960 Olympic Games that they can win laurels for the nation in amateur, while the professionals have produced 10 world champions.

Nettey was optimistic that Ghana can win another world title in the near future, while Kotey noted that the grassroots must be solidified to produce more quality juvenile and amateur boxers.

He commended the management of Wisdom Boxing Club where he had his practical and urged boxers to be disciplined if they want to make it to the top.

He also appealed to boxing fans to appreciate the role of ring officials because their utmost job is the ensure fairness and safety of the boxers.

Nettey advised boxing lovers, especially coaches to take time to study the rules to avoid instigating fans of unfair resolutions..

The two potentials who have decently officiated some big bouts took opportunity of the programme to educate boxing fans on some of the controversial decisions.

They wished their families, loved ones, boxing fans and admirers a happy new year.

By Sammy Heywood Okine