Ghana sets up committee to probe Olanrewaju’s death News

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Ghana sets up committee to probe Olanrewaju’s death

By Daily Sports Nigeria on April 11, 2025

The Ghanaian Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has set up a seven-man committee of enquiry to investigate matters connected to the death of Nigerian boxer Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, popularly known as ‘Success’.

Olanrewaju passed away at the Korle-Bu Hospital after collapsing during a bout at the Trust Sports Emporium Boxing Arena at Bukoum last month.

The passing of the Nigerian boxer has sparked major discussions on the health of athletes with the Bel 7 Star Ghana Boxing League firmly placed in the spotlight.

In the wake of the tragic event, the Sports Minister promised to probe the matter, and setting up the committee of enquiry is the first major step to do so.

The committee is headed by Major (Retd) Amarkai Amarteifio with former Ghana Boxing Authority President Peter Zwennes, and veteran sports journalists Ekow Ansah and Samuel Bartels also serving as members. Other members include Eddie Pappoe, Juliana Addo-Yobo and Martin Engmann.

The committee has been tasked to determine whether the organisers of the boxing league match went through the appropriate steps to prevent the death of Olanrewaju.

According to the terms of reference, the committee is to “determine the circumstances leading to the death of the Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju at the Bukom Boxing Arena on the 29th of March 2025.”

The committee will also “determine whether the organisers or promoters of the boxing match took adequate steps by international standards to prevent the death of the boxer.”

Additionally, they will “determine whether the licensing authorities in Nigeria acted with due diligence and followed procedure in allowing the boxer to accept an international match in Accra according to his qualification and experience.”

The Nigerian Boxing Board of Control has raised serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding Olanrewaju’s death. In a letter, the board highlighted what they described as “negligence on the part of Ghana Boxing Authority.”

The board pointed out several irregularities, including weight differential issues, claiming the boxer was permitted to fight for a light-heavyweight challenge weighing 85kg, which falls in the cruiserweight category. They also alleged that no pre-fight medical was conducted on the boxer during the weigh-in.

Furthermore, the NBBofC noted that their release letter approved the fight for March 28, not March 29 when the bout eventually took place, with no communication regarding the date change.

An autopsy performed on Olanrewaju has revealed that he died from sudden cardiac arrest during his bout.

The 40-year-old had been pronounced dead at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra after collapsing during his fight against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League.

Olanrewaju, a former National and West African light-heavyweight champion had an extensive boxing career since making his debut in 2019, competing in 24 professional fights with 13 wins (12 by knockout), nine losses, and two draws.

Source Punch Ng

Posted April 11, 2025