GOC mourns the passing of Dr. Yaw Nkansa-Gyane

The Ghana Olympic Committee is mourning the passing of an accomplished leader in the Olympic Movement and a former President of the GOC, Dr. Yaw Nkansa-Gyane.

Dr. Nkansa-Gyane died on 12th January, 2015 in Accra, aged 87. His final funeral rights will be held on Saturday, 21st February in Accra.

He played a fundamental role in promoting sports and the Olympic Movement in Ghana and on the world stage.

He served as a Vice President of the International Amateur Boxing Association for a 12 year period (1974-1986) and became GOC President in 1985, a position he held until 1990.

Dr. Nkansa-Gyane attended the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, Munich 1972, Montreal 1976 and Los Angeles 1984 as a Team Ghana official.

Among his contribution to amateur boxing, he was a member of the International Association of Olympic Medical Officers since 1975, became a qualified AIBA International Judge in 1978 and was elected Honorary life member of AIBA Medical Commission the same year.

He is also recognised as a founding chairman of the Ghana Association of Sports Medicine.

GOC Secretary General Richard Akpokavie said, “It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Dr. Nkansa-Gyane, a great sports icon who contributed immensely to Ghana and the Olympic Movement for over 30 years.

“His contribution to the development of amateur boxing, tennis and the medical field cannot be overemphasised, and will be remembered for a long time.”

“Our hearts go out to his family, friends and the entire sports community as we have lost a great leader.”

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