Ghana’s Black Bombers were forced to share gloves, boots and shorts during the Commonwealth Games, head coach Ofori Asare has revealed, as he blamed inadequate logistical support for the team’s disappointing boxing campaign.
Ghana returned from the Games in Glasgow with only one boxing medal, a bronze, after a difficult tournament for the team.
Speaking to JoySports, Asare said problems began before the competition and continued during the Games. The shortages included essential items required for training and competition, leaving some boxers without their own gloves, boxing boots and shorts.
The coach said the lack of equipment disrupted preparations and placed additional pressure on the athletes. He also described the arrangement as stressful and unhygienic, but said sharing equipment had been the only practical option available to the team.
“We had our own challenges. Some of the boxers had to share boxing boots, gloves, and shorts, among other equipment, which was very stressful and unhygienic. As a coach, I had to ask the boxers to share because that was the only way we could move forward.”
Asare said Ghana’s boxing delegation had been led to believe that the necessary supplies would be made available by the authorities. However, he said those assurances were not fulfilled before the team travelled to, or competed at, the Games.
The coach also raised concerns about documentation, saying the issue was serious enough to put Ghana’s participation at risk.
“We were expecting them (authorities) to provide us with the necessary equipment because that was what we had been told. The Ghana team could have been disqualified because of the [documentation] issues.”
Despite the difficulties, Ghana secured one boxing medal in Glasgow, with the campaign ending in bronze.
The result represented a disappointing return for the Black Bombers, who had faced equipment shortages, documentation problems and wider logistical challenges throughout their time at the Commonwealth Games.
Asare’s comments have highlighted the conditions the boxers had to manage while preparing for and competing in the tournament. The sharing of basic protective and competition equipment added to the team’s difficulties and, according to the coach, made an already demanding campaign more challenging.
Ghana ultimately left Glasgow with a single bronze medal in boxing, while Asare’s account has placed the focus on the support provided to the team alongside its performance in the ring.
