Ghana’s Sports Minister, Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye and chiefs of the Ga Traditional Council have pledged full support to Emmanuel ‘Game Boy’ Tagoe ahead of the Ghanaian boxer’s bid to win the IBO Lightweight world championship against Fernando David Saucedo of Argentina on November 25.
Tagoe and BabyJet Promotions led by CEO, Sammy Anim-Addo continued their tour with the title by making courtesy calls on the traditional leaders of his native Ga land as well as the Minister of Sports on Monday as the countdown to his quest to end Ghana’s wait for a world champion edges ever closer.
The chiefs of the traditional council, many of who hail from the area encompassing the Bukom hub of Ghana boxing, assured Tagoe of their prayers and presence at the newly built boxing arena on fight night to physically cheer on their son to success.
“We know Game Boy and have been supporting him since day one and we know it’s time for him to become world champion. We also know the huge investments his boss, Asamoah Gyan has put into his career and we pray he wins this title,” said the Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayibonte II known in private life as Tommy Okine, a former Chairman of Ghanaian football giants, Accra Hearts of Oak.
“We will pray for him and we will also be there at the stadium to offer our support first hand. It will be a pleasure for us to be there to witness for ourselves our son make history in the first title fight at the new boxing stadium,” Nii Ayibonte added.
Other chiefs and traditional leaders present at the meeting included Nii Dodoo Nsaki II (Otublohum Mantse and acting president of the Ga Traditional Council), Nii Ayikai III (Akarmajey Mantse), Nii Adote Otintor II (Sempe Mantse), Numo Ogbame III (Sakumo Wulomo), Numo Ayite Kobla III (Korle Wulomo) as well as Numo Akwaa Mensah III (Nae Wulomo, highest priest of Ga State).
Next point of call was the office of the Minister of Sports who is not only a former boxer himself but an overall sportsman who even today plays football in his spare time, but a renowned sports journalist of repute and currently the Member of Parliament for the area encompassing Bukom and environs.
Hon. Lantey Vanderpuye praised Tagoe for his relentless pursuit of success in the ring and expressed his confidence in the boxer to emerge champion come fight night. Mr. Vanderpuye also expressed delight that a fight of such significance will be the first to take place at the newly built SSNIT Emporium, Ghana’s first ever ultra-modern boxing stadium.
“The commissioning of the Emporium on 14th November by President John Mahama is just the ceremonial event to tell the world that it’s ready but the real opening to serve its purpose is the world title bout scheduled for the 25th,” Hon. Vanderpuye stated.
“We are fully behind Tagoe and we believe he will hand Saucedo a sound beating to win the world title for Ghana. Government will be there and we will contribute our best shot to help win this title,” the Sports Minister assured.
