Ghana’s IBF Continental Africa Lightweight titlist, Richie Commey has began his new position as the Ambassador for social charity, Alive & Kicking after he was officially unveiled on Thursday October 10, 2013 in Accra to champion the cause of the NGO which produces balls to create employment in Kenya, Zambia and of course, Ghana.
Commey who has vowed to use the new role to encourage young potential sportsmen to attach equal importance to education as they will to their sports persuasions, has quickly stepped into the job by immediately touring two schools within the James Town suburbs where he grew up.
“It’s simply a great opportunity and I feel humbled and privileged to be appointed to this role. There are a lot of boxers and sportsmen in this country so for me to be chosen, is fantastic and feels great,” Commey told East Side Boxing exclusively after his unveiling.
“I hope to help promote the good work of Alive & Kicking and also encourage the young ones to take their education serious. It’s also an avenue to send a message to the authorities to do something about boxing for young people,” Commey added after donating 5 footballs, 5 boxing gloves, 5 bandages, 5 pads to pupils of the Private Odartey Lamptey ‘2’ JHS located along the High Street in Accra.
The boxer in company of his UK based manager, Michael Amoo-Bediako, trainer Carl Lokko, Alive & Kicking Country Director, Chris Roe had earlier donated the same quantity of items to the Accra Sempe Primary School too.
“Alive & Kicking was established to exploit Africa’s love for sport by making quality balls and create jobs for the disadvantaged in society. We also create awareness about deadly disease like HIV and malaria and a rising star, Ghanaian boxer Richard Commey best suits the role of our Ambassador. This is a starting point for us to form a strong relationship,” stated Mr. Roe.
“We have gained an insight into the good work you are doing. Wherever we go around the world to fight, Richard will take your balls to show the world about the good work you are doing,” Mr. Amoo-Bediako told the Alive & Kicking workers after the team were taken through the rudiments of making a ball at the charity’s offices.
Alive and Kicking manufactures quality sports balls in Kenya, Zambia and added Ghana to their active countries list in August last year and have been producing balls since January with the aim to reach out to other countries around West Africa soon.
Their footballs, volleyballs, netballs, handballs and rugby balls generate employment for over 120 people and also provide a product tailored for the African market and are used as a tool for raising health awareness.
Established in 2004 by the late Jim Cogan OBE, an inspirational teacher with a passion for African development whose vision was to see the large scale production of sports balls in Africa, Alive & Kicking are the only formal manufacturer of sports balls on the African continent.