The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has set up a seven-member committee to investigate the untimely death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju.
The Nigerian boxer met his untimely death during a boxing bout against Ghanaian boxer John Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena on March 29, 2025.
Olanrewaju collapsed in the third round of the bout, and despite medical intervention at the venue, it was too late to resuscitate him as he was later pronounced dead at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Mr Kofi Iddie Adams, the Minister of Sports and Recreation, during the committee’s inauguration, highlighted the gravity of the situation, adding that it requires a thorough investigation.
He underscored the government’s dedication to uncovering the facts and leveraging the findings to bolster safety measures within the sport.
Mr Adams commended the media for their professional coverage and urged them to maintain accuracy, given the case’s global resonance.
The committee, chaired by Major (Retired) Amarkai Amarteifio—a former sports minister—was given 21 days to deliver its report.
Other members of the committee included Peter Zwennes, a prominent lawyer and ex-president of the Ghana Boxing Authority; Ekow Asmah, a respected journalist and boxing historian; legal experts Samuel Bartels and Juliana Addo-Yobo; seasoned boxing official Eddie Pappoe; and sports medicine specialist Dr Martin Engmann.
A representative from the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana would serve as an observer on the committee to ensure transparency and collaboration between the two countries.
The committee’s objectives included pinpointing the exact circumstances of Olanrewaju’s death, evaluating whether adequate medical and safety protocols aligned with international standards were followed, and assessing the Nigerian boxing authorities’ diligence in approving the boxer for the international bout.
The committee’s mandate extends beyond the unfortunate event surrounding Olanrewaju’s death to include a review of regulatory and medical frameworks in Ghana’s boxing community and its international interactions.
It would also scrutinise the actions of involved officials, propose sanctions if necessary, and recommend enhancements to technical and medical procedures to elevate safety standards in boxing.
Accepting the role, Amarteifio underscored the assignment’s significance especially in safeguarding the reputation of Ghana’s sports and Africa as a whole.
He promised a swift and thorough investigation before the 21-day deadline if stakeholders cooperated fully, urging the media to report responsibly on the issue due to international interest.
GNA
