Profile: Akotoku Academy (Home of Boxing Champions)
The Akotoku Boxing Academy was founded in 1974 by the late Francis Attuquaye Clottey. The gym has produced legends like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, David “Poison” Kotey Hector Clottey, Judas Clottey, Kpakpo Allotey and late Alfred Kotey.
The founder Attuquaye Clottey was a cherished boxer in Ghana who became a champion trainer upon retirement. He was the lead coach of the Black Bombers, the national amateur boxing squad.
Akotoku, was once upon a time, the best gym Ghana having its own boxing’s history and records.
Akotoku has been the home of four-time African champion “Flash” lbole lssaka, two-time continental titlist Kpapko Allotey, national champion Daniel Allotey, “Thunder” Clottey, two-time Mortein league champion Herbert Quartey, and Godfred Sowah among others have all come through the ranks of the training base.
After the demise of Coach Clottey, Daniel Okoe Odamtten, trainer of former WBA champion “Bazooka” Quartey took over. He did his best to sustain and maintain the facility before leaving for the USA for greener pastures.
“It’s been long since we produced a world champion for Ghana which has really affected our pedigree as an elite gym in the country but we are working hard on that,” said trainer Noah Awatey who is currently in charge together with Emmanuel Abbey and Elvis Robertson who are trying to groom and inspire the next generation of champions.
Technical Director, Theo Edwin Addo is in Australia, and his staff are committed to producing another world champion by 2025, according to coach Noah Awatey.
Currently in 2021, Akotoku Academy boasts of 28 boxers, made up of seven professionals, 14 amateurs, five juveniles and two females.
The popular names in the gym are experienced professional Justice Addy, the undefeated Prince Octopus Dzanie (21-0) who represented Ghana at the 2008 Olympic Games, Shakur Samed who just qualified for Tokyo 2020, Junior Olympian Alfred Kotey, young enterprising Mike Nelson aka ‘Mayweather’ and new sensation Issif Seidu (3-0).
Coach Robertson told Yours Truly, their major problem is a roof or pavilion to train under when it rains, and modern boxing equipment, including gloves, head gear etc.
“We have the talents, but lack the training tools, so we will appreciate if someone comes to our aid. We also wish some of our ex champions could pay us visits to encourage and motivate the young boxers” he added.
He expressed that the boxing trainer lack many things and wish the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) will organize frequent refresher courses for coaches, referees and other ring officials.
He commended the administration of the GBA President, Lawyer Peter Zwennes and Mr. George Lamptey who leads the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) for their efforts in putting Ghana boxing at its enviable position as the sport with many world champions for Ghana.
By Sammy Heywood Okine