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Big boost for Sambo ahead of USA and Niger tournaments

The Ghana Sambo Association have drawn a comprehensive programme to promote the fistic sport which is similar to judo and martial arts in the country to educate and train the youth in self-discipline, build a strong and solid team to win more medals in upcoming tournaments but mainly at the 2020 Olympic Games.

The quest to promote and develop the sport of Sambo in Ghana has received a massive boost following the acquisition of a sponsor ahead of upcoming tournaments in the United States of America (USA) and Niger.

Barely a week later the team will cross over to West Africa, precisely Niamey, Niger to compete at the 11 Africa Sambo championship on 28 and 29 May, 2016.That’s why Enoch Agyekum, the President of the Ghana Sambo Association is delighted to have finally signed a sponsorship deal with sports promoters, Gh Bosslink Promotions CEO, Collins-Bio Donkor recently in Birmingham, UK.

Accordingly, Gh Bosslink will financially support the team’s preparations and participation in the USA and Niger tournaments as well as Scottish Open in Dunfries, Scotland on July 23, the 3President’s Cup in Edinburg also in Scotland on 25 and 26 September and world sambo championship in Sofia, Bulgaria from 10 to 14November this year.

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Long before then, the sport will take centre stage in Ghana during the 2016 national championships at the Accra Sports Stadium to select the athletes to represent the country at all the competitions.“I am happy that we have this sponsorship support from the Gh Bosslink Management to help the team.

All other sponsors are welcome, our doors are wide opened,” UK based Enoch Agyekum said.

“This gesture will help us so much, it will boost the moral and confidence of the athletes to train hard and put in their best because they are assured they will travel to all the above games to win more medals and raise high the flag of Ghana,” the Ghana Sambo President added.

Despite the financial and logistic challenges, Ghana Sambo athletes have achieved a number of feats in international competitions including a first gold medal in the British Open won by Alex Amoako, bronze medal at the 1 Africa Sambo championship in Casablanca won by Razak Abugri and Women team also won one gold and a bronze at the 2 Africa Sambo championship.

Team Ghana also won bronze in the team event at the 1 President Sambo Cup in the UK as well as 3 gold medals and two bronze medals in individual weight events at the 1 Commonwealth championship in Dartford, UK.

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The authorities at the helm of the sport in this country insist Ghana can record more achievements in the sport with the needed financial and logistic support, and are appealing to corporate bodies and government to also come on board.“

The team face many challenges, even visas have been denied or sometimes been delayed so we don’t arrive early at tournaments to train well enough and get acquainted to the weather,” explained Alex Amoako, Vice President of Ghana Sambo.

“We also lack training kits and standard gyms in the country for the game and of course lack of financial support. We are grateful to Gh Bosslink and hope more will follow their footsteps,” added Mr. Amoako who is a 2012 Commonwealth championship gold medalist, London Judo international silver medalist and also 3-time North West judo champion.

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