Former GBF chief George Lamptey grateful for ITO opportunity at Accra 2023 Africa Games

George Okoe Lamptey, immediate past President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) is expressing gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to serve as International Technical Official (ITO) during the just ended Accra 2023 Africa Games.

Mr. Lamptey took up the role for the first time by coordinating the technical side of the boxing tournament of the 13th Africa Games, supervising the entire fight programme which took place at the Bukom Boxing Arena from 14-22 March, 2024.

Mr. Lamptey who works at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, in a pose with the official mascot of Accra 2023

He was officially accredited by the International Boxing Association (IBA) following successful completion of the recognised exams in Marrakech, Morroco 2-5 February, 2023 but was only doing the work for the first time in the fight tournament of the first continental sporting fiesta to be hosted by his country.

“I wish to thank the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) for my appointment,” Mr. Lamptey told Sportsinghana.com.

“I also wish to thank the leadership and executive members of the Ghana Boxing Federation for such opportunity to do the course and participate in the games,” he continued

Mr. Lamptey who was in the helm at the last Olympic Games in Japan during which Samuel Takyi ended Ghana’s 29-year wait for a medal, also reserved glowing praise for the Ghanaian Olympic administration for their support.

“I also want to thank the leadership of the Ghana Olympic Committee for supporting me to take such a course which facilitated my appointment from the AFBC and the mother body, the International Boxing Association (IBA),” George Lamptey stated.

“I wish to express my gratitude to the leadership of international technical officials for their support for a successful tournament,” he added.

George Lamptey was in charge when Samuel Takyi won a historic bronze medal for Ghana at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Nevertheless, the man who now has a first ever experience in the job as IBA certified ITO, has not forgotten about his roots, pointing out his unwavering gratitude to all that pushed him on this journey up.

“My appreciation goes to national technical officials that assisted me,” he said.

“I also wish to congratulate all medallists of the national team, coaches and the entire administrators of the Ghana Boxing Federation. I’m grateful,” Mr. Lamptey affirmed.