To say Ambassador Ray Quarcoo has played a pivotal role in the development of sports in Ghana is an understatement.
Apart from Ghana’s first world boxing champion, David Kotei (DK) Poison, the goodwill sports ambassador has had a hand in virtually all the boxing greats Ghana and Africa as a whole have produced.
From legendary figures such as Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Ebo Danquah, Nana Yaw Konadu, Thunder Ayeh, the Clottey brothers (Emmanuel and Joshua) and Joseph Agbeko, through to more recent stars like Isaac Dogboe and Joshua Buatsi, among others, his singular efforts in their respective careers and success stories have etched his name in gold.
His passion for the pugilistic sport, sports as a whole, and his desire to see athletes excel both in and outside the ring is unmatched.
Boxing under his stewardship as President of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) witnessed modern initiatives such as boxing exchange programmes with countries including Britain, the USA, and Azerbaijan.
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As an avid student of the sport, he could identify potential boxers from a very young age.
The goodwill sports ambassador’s love for boxing and sports knows no bounds. He would travel on Sunday afternoons just to watch juvenile boxing on the streets of Accra at the Wato Club—a practice that became routine where he “blessed” young boxers during his regular visits.
Many members of Ghana’s Olympic boxing team, the Black Bombers, have benefited not only from his vast experience in the sport but also from his financial support.
Indeed, his supervision of boxers’ preparation camping, nutrition and training has endeared him to many athletes.
His contribution as an executive member of the prestigious International Boxing Association (IBA), formerly AIBA and as a dedicated management member of the Black Stars, was evident across the African continent.
In the coming weeks, he will turn 90. A businessman and sports administrator extraordinaire, Ambassador Quarcoo believes current-day sports administrators must go the extra mile to restore the dwindling fortunes of Ghanaian sports.
Among his many contributions to Ghanaian sports is sponsoring Mike Carney, an international boxing coach from British Sports, UK, to assist in the preparation of the Black Bombers for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The lifetime patron of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), his contribution towards Ghana’s participation in the 1992 Olympics earned him an honorary award from the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).
Widely known as Uncle Ray, he also facilitated and bankrolled the establishment of several boxing clubs in Bukom, Accra, including Black Panther and Panix, among others.
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