The white card campaign is an initiative by the Peace and Sport International Forum, a unique platform for exchange and the promotion of good practices. It generates concrete solutions and stimulates new collaborations to intensify the use of sport as a lever for peace.
This campaign is done every 6th of April to mark International Day of Sports for Peace and Development.
In 2022, Ghana honored the day when Liquid Sports held a symposium at the Accra Sports Stadium Media Center, boxing was represented as Coach Ofori Asare and his junior boxers at Wisdom Boxing Gym did some shadow boxing.
Abraham Lamptey (Greater Accra Regional Flyweight champion) gave a speech about how sports impacts the world positively. Across town in Kawukudi, the Black Panthers Boxing Gym & SeaView joined the French Embassy campaign at Dechathelon Sports Shop. The clubs did a boxing exhibition and were awarded with medals.
However, in 2023, the campaign by the National Sports Authority was hosted in Kumasi. Boxing was not represented. However in Accra, boxing clubs and boxers joined the campaign by posting themselves with a white card just like a referee: signifying the positive power of sports.
Clubs that participated in the campaign include Akotoku Academy, Beach Boxing Club, Accra Boxing Club and Wisdom Boxing Gym. Some popular boxers who participated include John Zile, Theophilus Allotey, Shakul Samir, Alfred Kotey, Haruna Mohhammed and Caleb Mensah.
Samuel Martei from Accra Boxing noted that it’s a pleasure to do this small action that unites with the whole world.
The campaign which was marked globally across all sporting disciplines demonstrates the ability of sports to unite the world.
Didier Drogba, an Ambassador of the campaign who doubles as the Vice President of Peace and Sport International urged athletes to use their platforms to address key issues such as peace, gender equality and community building.
Coach Ofori, the National Amateur Coach said he’s impressed that more clubs are recognizing the importance of building a culture of community by joining hands with the world in actions as these that do not cost much but benefits enormously.
Did you know about the White Card campaign? Do you agree sports (Boxing) fosters peace and development in Ghana?
By Sarah Asare