Bukom Boxing Arena is the first boxing arena to be built in Ghana. The multipurpose facility was commissioned by John Dramani Mahama in November 2016 and has a seating capacity of 4000. Other facilities in the open-air edifice include a sports hall, Aerobic centre, Olympic size swimming pool and conference hall. The arena was constructed in Bukom due to the numerous world boxing champions the community has produced.[1][2][3] Apart from boxing, the arena hosts basketball tournaments. The arena is adorned with the names of Ghanaian world boxing champions and otherwise famous Ghanaian boxers, such as Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, D.K. Poison and others.
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| Location | Accra, Ghana |
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| Coordinates | 5°32′12″N 0°13′16″W / 5.5367439°N 0.2212454°W |
| Capacity | 4000 |
| Opened | 2016 |
The boxing competitions of the 2023 African Games were held at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Funding edit
The arena was funded by Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) in partnership with a Polish company, ETC Group Polska in their joint venture company Trust Sports Emporium Limited.[4][5]
Crime scene edit
In October 2018 the arena was declared a crime scene after fans reacted violently to referee Adorn Bertin's decision to end a bout between Isaac Sackey and Wasiru Mohammed. Bertin called a halt to the contest after defending WBO Africa super-bantamweight champion Sackey was knocked down by Mohammed in the third round. Although Sackey was able to return to his feet, Bertin waved off the fight, awarding Mohammed the WBO title via knockout.[6]
External links edit
References edit
- ^ "President Mahama commissions Trust Sports Emporium in Bukom [Photos]". Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always. 2016-11-16. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
- ^ "Bukom boxing arena brings new hope to young boxers". GhanaPoliticsOnline. 2016-11-15. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
- ^ Akyeampong, Emmanuel (2002). "Bukom and the Social History of Boxing in Accra: Warfare and Citizenship in Precolonial Ga Society". The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 35 (1): 39–60. doi:10.2307/3097365. ISSN 0361-7882. JSTOR 3097365.
- ^ "PHOTOS: President Mahama Inaugurates New Boxing Arena At Bukom". GhanaCelebrities.Com. 2016-11-16. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
- ^ "President Mahama commissions 4,000 seater edifice". Pulse Gh. 2016-11-15. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
- ^ "Bukom Arena declared crime scene". Watch Ghana. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2020.