The late Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” Former lightweight champion Richard Commey and The Streetwise Foundation are not only making a life, they are also changing them.
On Friday afternoon, Commey and members of the Foundation continued their philanthropic efforts in Africa, presenting boxing equipment to the Charles Quartey Boxing Club located at Timber Market in Accra.
The items included gloves, bandages, head gears, tee shirts, caps, skipping ropes, sweatshirts, boots, training shoes and more.
Along with Commey were Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab, who trains out of the gym and is coached by Charles Quartey, and Michael Amoo-Bediako, CEO of The Streetwise Foundation and manager of both Commey and Wahab under his Streetwise Management banner.
“I am Ghanaian and believes boxers in Ghana have what it takes to be world champions but lack basic boxing equipment that can develop their talents,” Amoo-Bediako told BoxingAfrica.com.
“This is why the Streetwise Foundation decided to donate this equipment to the Charles Quartey Boxing Club to aid the boxers in their development.”
Commey serves as The Streetwise Foundation’s Ambassador, concentrating his efforts on building up interest in sports for the youth and helping them to maximize their talents.
“This is what we want to do, to give back to society for what it has given us,” said Commey. “We hope that the young boxers in this gym would take advantage of this equipment to build on their talents.
“I am really particular about this donation because I was once like these kids and boxing changed my life. I believe hard work can also change theirs too.”
Quartey, the head trainer at the gym, promised to put the equipment to good use, pointing out that the donation was timely as most of the training gears used by boxers in the gym were worn out.
“I’m short of words for this gesture, because these are things we really need to build the boxers in the gym,” Quartey told BoxingAfrica.com.
“I am very happy and I want to thank Streetwise Management for seeing our gym as worthy of support.”
Undefeated featherweight contender Wahab was equally grateful. “I am glad that all this equipment is coming to this gym because I know the kind of talents that would benefit from them.”
