Goodwill Sports Ambassador Ray Quarcoo @90…celebration of dedicated service to Ghana sports

TO say Ambassador Ray Quarcoo has played a pivotal role in the development of sports in Ghana is an understatement.

Apart from Ghana’s first world champion — David Kotei (DK) Poison, the Goodwill Sports Ambassador has had a hand in all the boxing greats Ghana and Africa have produced.

From the legendary Azamah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Ebo Danquah, Nana Yaw Konadu, Thunder Ayeh, Clottey brothers — Emmanuel and Joshua, Joseph Agbeko through to the recent past Isaac Dogboe, Joshua Buatsi, among others, his singular efforts in their respective careers and success stories has etched his (Ray Quarcoo) name in gold.

Ambassador’s passion for the pugilistic sport, sports as a whole, and to see its students excel in and outside the ring is unmatched.

Boxing under his stewardship as president of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF), now Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), witnessed initiatives like boxing exchange programmes among countries such as Britain, USA and Azerbaijan.

And as an avid student of the sport, he could see a potential boxer from young ages.

The Goodwill Sports Ambassador’s love for boxing and sports knows no bound — he will travel on Sunday afternoons just to watch juvenile boxing on the streets of Accra (Wato Club), a practice which became a routine, where he ‘blesses’ the young boxers during his regular visits.

Many of Ghana’s national amateur boxing team members (Black Bombers) have not only benefitted from his vast experience in the sport, but his financial support as well.

Indeed, his supervision of the boxers’ preparation — camping, nutrition and training has endeared him to a lot of the pugilists.

His contribution as an executive member of the prestigious International Boxing Association (IBA), formerly Association of International Boxing Association (AIBA), and a dedicated management member of the Black Stars gave meaning to his title as Goodwill Sports Ambassador across the African continent.

Yesterday, he turned 90, as a businessman and a sports administrator extraordinaire, yet Ambassador Quarcoo believes modern day sports administrators must go the extra mile to rescue the country from her dwindling fortunes in sports.

Among the tall list of his contribution to Ghana sports, the Ambassador is credited for sponsoring Mr Mike Carney, an international Boxing coach from British Sports, UK, to assist in the preparation of the Black Bombers for the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

The Lifetime Patron of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) earned an honorary award from the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) for his contribution towards Ghana’s participation in the 1992 Olympic Games.

Widely known as Uncle Ray, he facilitated and bankrolled the establishment of boxing clubs at Bukom, Accra like the Black Panther, Panix gyms, among others.

By Spectator Reporter

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