Sports Minister Appoints Ambassador Amarteifio to Lead Nigerian Boxer’s Death Inquiry
The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, has constituted a seven-member committee headed by former Minister for Sports, Major (Retired) Amarkai Amarteifio, to probe the death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Aluwasegun Olanrewagu.
The boxer collapsed during an IMAX Boxing League match against Ghana’s Jon Mbanugu on March 29, 2025, at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Round 3 (2:46 minutes in) of a light heavyweight contest.
The game was part of the Bel 7-Star Energy Drink Professional Boxing League (Week 15).
The Nigerian who until his death held a record of 13 wins (12 by knockout) and 8 losses in 23 fights was later pronounced dead at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The Minister on April 8, 2025, constituted a committee of inquiry to probe the events leading to his death.
The members of the committee include former Ghana Boxing Authority president Peter Zwennes, boxing historian Ekow Asmah, legal practitioners Samuel Bartels and Juliana Addo-Yobo, veteran boxing official Eddie Pappoe, and sports medicine expert, Dr. Martin Engmann.
The Committee will also include a representative of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, a decision aimed at fostering trust and transparency between both nations.
The committee is tasked with the responsibility of demystifying the cause of the death and providing recommendations on how to improve safety in the sport.
They have 21 days to submit to the Minister.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
