To describe Ambassador Ray Quarcoo’s contribution to the development of sports in Ghana, particularly boxing, as significant would be an understatement.
For decades, the Goodwill Sports Ambassador has been a quiet but powerful force behind the rise of Ghanaian and African boxing, shaping careers and nurturing talent across generations.
Beyond Ghana’s first world champion, David Kotei, popularly known as D.K. Poison, Ambassador Quarcoo has had a hand in the success of nearly every major boxing great the country has produced.
From legends such as Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Ebo Danquah, Nana Yaw Konadu and Thunder Ayeh, to the Clottey brothers, Joseph Agbeko, and more recently Isaac Dogboe and Joshua Buatsi, his influence has been deep, deliberate and lasting.
His passion for the sport and for the welfare of athletes beyond the ring is unmatched. Ambassador Quarcoo has consistently championed the idea that boxing must not only produce champions, but disciplined individuals capable of thriving in life after competition.
As President of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation, he introduced modern initiatives that elevated the sport locally, including international exchange programmes with countries such as Britain, the United States and Azerbaijan. A keen student of boxing, he was known for his rare ability to spot potential champions at a very young age.
His love for boxing knows no bounds. It was common to see him travel on Sunday afternoons to watch juvenile boxing on the streets of Accra, particularly at the Wato Club in Bukom.
These visits became routine, as he offered encouragement and quietly supported young boxers striving for a chance.
Many members of Ghana’s Olympic boxing team, the Black Bombers, benefited not only from his experience but also from his personal financial support.
His hands-on supervision of their camping, nutrition and training endeared him to generations of boxers who saw him as a mentor and protector.
Ambassador Quarcoo’s influence extended beyond Ghana. As an executive member of the International Boxing Association (formerly AIBA) and a management member of the Black Stars, he made an impact across the African continent.
As he approaches his 90th birthday in the coming weeks, the businessman and sports administrator extraordinaire remains concerned about the current state of Ghanaian sports.
He believes today’s administrators must go the extra mile to restore the nation’s declining sporting fortunes.
Among his many contributions was sponsoring renowned international boxing coach Mike Carney from British Sports, UK, to assist in preparing the Black Bombers for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
His role in Ghana’s participation in the 1992 Olympics earned him an honorary award from the Ghana Olympic Committee.
Widely known as “Uncle Ray,” he is also the lifetime patron of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana.
His generosity extended to grassroots development, as he facilitated and bankrolled the establishment of several boxing clubs in Bukom, including Black Panther and Panix.
At 90, Ambassador Ray Quarcoo’s legacy stands firm — etched in the success stories of champions, the dreams of young boxers, and the history of Ghanaian sport.
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