Two of Ghana’s highly rated boxers, both undefeated, Isaac ‘Royal Storm’ Dogboe (17-0, 11 KOs) and Duke Micah (21-0, 18 KOs), have been nominated for the 2017 professional boxer of the year award by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).
The two boxers stood tall among their peers and scored important wins in the ring in the year under review, affirming the hope and belief by many Ghanaian boxing connoisseurs that they could win world titles in the near future and have been nominated for the highly revered SWAG awards.
Also nominated for the prestigious coach of the year award is boxing trainer, Lawrence Carl Lokko, who is up against Yusif Abubakar who led Aduana Stars to win the Ghana Premier League and Carl Pierce, coach of the Ghana weightlifting team.
Carl Lokko, who was also elected onto the executive board of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) in 2017, runs the Bronx Boxing Gym in Accra where he trains a lot of upcoming boxers and is renowned for being the coach of world title challenger, Richard Commey, as well as highly rated Fredrick Lawson and Duke Micah.
Also to be rewarded for years of hard work is experienced boxing trainer, Ofori Asare, who has been penciled down for the dedication and valour award. Perhaps made it more famous for coaching Bastie Samir to defeat Bukom Banku in a super fight back in October last year, Coach Asare has been coach of Ghana’s amateur boxing team, Black Bombers, for over two decades and is also a certified AIBA instructor.
According to a press release signed by William Ezah, General Secretary of SWAG, the body will officially launch the event next week to announce details of the awards night, which will also coincide with activities of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of SWAG.
Below is the full list of SWAG nominees:
- Footballer of the Year:
Daniel Nii Adjei – (TP Mazembe, DRC
Thomas Teye Partey- (Atletico Madrid, Spain)
Christian Atsu – (Newcastle, England)
Richard Boakye-Yiadom (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia)
- Footballer of the Year (LOCAL)
Thomas Abbey (Hearts of Oak)
Amos Frimpong (Kotoko)
Stephen Sarfo (B. Chelsea)
- Female Footballer of the Year
Priscilla Adubea (Ampem Darkoa Ladies)
Priscilla Okyere (Ampem Darkoa Ladies)
Ruth Appiah (Lady Strikers)
- Professional Boxer of the Year
Isaac Dogboe
Duke Micah (WBC Int. Bantamweight Champion)
- National Team of the Year
Local Black Stars
Black Sticks (female Hockey Team)
Golden Arms (Armwrestling)
- Coach of the Year
Carl Lokko (Coach of Richard Commey
Yussif Abubakar (Aduana)
Carl Pierce (Weightlifting)
- Association President of the Year
Mawuko Afadzinu (Table Tennis)
Herbert Mensah (Rugby)
Paul Achoe (Volleyball)
Charles Osei Asibey (Armwrestling)
Evans Yeboah (Badminton Fed)
Frederick Otu Lartey (Taekwondo)
- Most Promising Star of the Year
Richmond Osafo (Weightlifting)
David Abagna (Wa All Stars)
- Female Club of the Year
Ampem Darkoah Ladies
- Male Club of the Year
Aduana Stars (GPL)
GRA Male Hockey team
- Dedication and Valour
George Bankole (Handball)
Ofori Asare (Boxing)
- Weightlifter of the Year
Christian Amoah
- Discovery of the Year
David Akwei (Weightlifting)
Isaac Nii Amugi (Armwrestling)
Suzzy Dede Teye (Lady Strikers and Black Maidens)
- Hockey Player of The Year
Salia Nsalbini
- Golfer of the Year
Vincent Torgah
- Badminton Player of the Year
Emmanuel Yaw Donkor
Grace Atipaka
- Volleyball Player of The Year
Richard Amanor
- Special Awards
Dr. Kojo Benjamin Taylor (Sanford)
Alex Asante (GFA)
Dr. K D Asante
Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom
Dr. Martin Engmann
- Para-Athlete of the Year
Charles Narh Teye
Haruna Tahiru (Arm wrestling)
- Cyclist of the Year- Anthony Boafo Dankwa Boakye
- Kickboxer of the Year – Alhassan Okine
Today Sports
…with Gottlieb Baako