The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, has met with members of the newly constituted Boxing Normalisation Committee ahead of its official inauguration. The engagement took place today, Friday, 26th September 2025, at the Ministry’s conference room.
The meeting, led by the Acting Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, served as a precursor to the formal inauguration of the committee scheduled for Monday, 29th September 2025.
The committee was formed following the tragic passing of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who died during a bout at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on 29th March 2025. In the aftermath, the Minister commissioned an independent investigative panel, chaired by Rtd. Amarkai Amarteifio, to probe the circumstances of the death and broader concerns within professional boxing. The panel’s 100-page report outlined key findings and offered sweeping recommendations to restore safety, discipline, and integrity to the sport.
The Minister commended the committee members for taking up the challenge and stressed the urgency of reforms:
“This normalisation process is not about personalities; it is about the future of our sport. We are determined to restore boxing to a state of professionalism, safety and international respect.”
The Minister highlighted priority areas, including the institution of immediate medical protocols, updating boxers’ health records, establishing a Medical Commission, and strengthening doping control systems in collaboration with the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). He urged the committee to act swiftly, transparently, and impartially to stabilise the sport, expressing optimism that structured boxing activity will resume before the end of the year.
The Ministry has also prepared a government white paper outlining its official position on the investigative report. The committee is expected to implement its recommendations under ministerial supervision.
The Boxing Normalisation Committee will be officially inaugurated at 1:00 PM on Monday, 29th September 2025, at the Ministry’s Conference Room.
By Peter Quao Adattor
