President Nana Akufo-Addo has announced government will gift IBF lightweight world champion, Richard Commey a brand new Toyota vehicle for the honour he brought to the nation with his recent win over Russian boxer Isa Chaniev.
In addition to the vehicle, Commey will receive 50,000 cedis from the presidency, Nana Akufo-Addo promised the boxer when he paid a courtesy call on him at Jubilee House in Accra Monday to present his championship belt to him.
Commey on February 2 this year made his second crack at the vacant IBF lightweight title count by claiming his first world title with a second round stoppage of Isa Chaniev.
“In terms of this achievement, it may not be very much but there’s little that we can do; they’re [the government] gonna buy you a car… The office of the president is also adding 50,000 cedis to it,” Nana Akufo-Addo announced.
The president described gift as “a small token” from his government “for the honour you’ve brought to our nation,” and asked him to “keep it up”.
Nana Akufo-Addo said he was arranging for the vehicle from the Ministry of Sports to be delivered to the boxer, promising that the government will do its bit in supporting boxing in the country.
He said he and the rest of the about 30 million Ghanaians will keenly be following his exploits, hence urged him to always bear that in mind whenever and wherever he fights.
I’m ‘basking in your glory’
President Akufo-Addo commended Commey for the courtesy call, which he said has enabled him to bask in the glory.
“I’m happy that you’ve had the honour of visiting us here; coming to show off the belt and giving us all the opportunity to bask in your glory. Yes, because they will say it was when I was president that we had at least two more champions in succession and God willing there will be more,” Akufo-Addo told the boxer.
Earlier, the boxer appealed to the government to support boxers in ensuring effective transparency in their boxing contractual deal to promote fairness.
Nana Akufo-Addo assured the boxer government will readily look into his appeal and promises government commitment to support boxing.
By 3news.com|Ghana