The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Richard Akpokavie, has advised the national youth boxing team, the Black Rockets, to shorten their celebrations for the African Youth Championships and commence immediate preparations for their next challenge: the 2026 Youth Olympic Games qualifiers in Angola in December.

During a courtesy call to present the gold medals and the trophy for overall third place won at the recent continental tournament in Guinea, Mr Akpokavie praised the three-man squad of Mathias Ashitey, George Dowuona and Desmond Pappoe, as well as the technical team led by a high-powered Ghana Boxing

Federation (GBF) entourage for their significant contributions to the success in Conakry.

The GOC boss was, however, quick to admonish the rising stars about the tougher tasks that lie ahead and pointed out the prestige that awaits them at the Youth Olympics. 

He urged them to eschew complacency and focus on training harder to improve their skills in readiness for future competitions, which the GOC will be ready to support to bring glory to Ghana.

"Congratulations, we are very proud of you for bringing glory to all of us in this country. This shows that with the right support, Ghana's sports can go far. Our goals are long-term, we assure you that from now till you qualify for the Youth Olympics, we will always be with you to support you," Mr Akpokavie said.

"To the young boxers, don't think that you have arrived; this is just a beginning. The important one is in Angola to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games, which will give you a big platform, the whole world will be watching, it will open big doors for you," the GOC chief told the youngsters.

"Don't go about celebrating, then go to sleep, you now have to work harder than ever. Show people that this was not a mistake," he added.

The GBF President, DSI Bernard Quartey, led the delegation, which included Vice-Presidents Dauda Fuseni and Solomon Otoo Lartey, Treasurer Mustapha Nettey, Black Rockets head coach Charles Quartey and his assistant, Joseph Martey, who supervised the historic achievement in Conakry.

Also present was GOC board member, George Okoe Lamptey, a former GBF president who was also in Guinea on official duties as an ITO (International Technical Officer).

The GBF president requested maximum financial and technical support to enhance preparations and participation in all weight categories at the African Youth Olympic Qualifiers in Angola as Ghana seeks to qualify as many boxers as possible for the global version billed for Dakar, Senegal, next year.

"I'm pleading to the sports authorities, including the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, GOC and NSA, to invest in boxing because it's the only sport that brings honour to the country in international competitions. We have the men and if we are given all the necessary resources, it will be well used to ensure our boys excel in any competition," DSI Quartey appealed.

"We thank everybody who supported us in all areas to win these prestigious gold medals at the 2025 African Youth Boxing Championship. We pledge to do even better with adequate support," the GBF boss added.