Tributes have been pouring in for deceased legendary Ghanaian boxing trainer Godwin Nii Dzanie Kotey a.ka coach Alloway. 

The accliamed trainer died this weekend in Accra. He was 56.

Leading the chain of tributes is Ghana Boxing Authority President Peter Zwennes, who feels Alloway’s contribution to sports are good enough to earn him posthumous recognition from the state and the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG). The following are Joy Sports Editor, Nathaniel Attoh’s compilation of tributes for the late trainer.

“The late Coach Alloway was one of many people in the sporting fraternity who had done a lot of work in the background and contributed substantially to the progress of the sport of boxing but hardly got any recognition.” “The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has recognized more people in football than in boxing. The state has over the years honored mostly politicians leaving out people like Alloway who have made genuine contributions to boxing. I believe this is the right time for SWAG to honor him posthumously. Also it will be appropriate to name a national edifice after him” – Peter Zwennes Esq, President Ghana Boxing Authority.

“This is a massive blow to the nation. Growing up I watched Coach Alloway train many generations of boxers. I agree with Azumah Nelson when he said that it will be difficult to replace him. We can only celebrate him by doing the right thing in Ghana Boxing. His demise has come at a time when we don’t have many distinctive coaches in the sport of boxing. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and the sporting fraternity in Ghana” – Kwabena Yeboah, President Sports Writers Association of Ghana.

“This is a very painful experience in my life. He was my friend my father and my mentor. In my last fight against Gabriel Rosado in the US, his absence affected me. I worked hard and won the first four rounds. All I needed was his voice in my corner to push me and encourage me to change my strategy to win this fight. We have shared some good times together and it is difficult for me to bear the pain” – Joshua Clottey, ex IBF welterweight champion.

“Coach Alloway is simply irreplaceable. He was god at what he did but interestingly very humble as well. Despite his knowledge in the sport, he was ready to learn to better his skill. This is a sad time for us all but I guess we have to look forward to tomorrow with hope. We have lost one the greatest boxing trainers of our time.” – Azumah Nelson, International Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee/WBCs Greatest Super featherweight of All Time.

“He inspired me a lot in the days when I was working towards becoming a world champion. He has done a lot for me and the progress of my career and played the role of a father. I learnt a great deal of lessons under him. I remember how he constantly taught with us tricks and skills that he learnt from and shared with the legendary Azumah Nelson. Every new day under Coach Alloway was a big learning experience for us. I learnt about his ill health when Joshua Clottey recently came to the US without him for his last fight against Gabriel Rosado. We have lost a very great trainer – Joseph Agbeko ex IBF Bantamweight champion.

“He was a gentleman whose daily methods earned himself and the United Boxing Coaches Association of Ghana, which he led, the needed respect. He led a lot of advocacy for boxer and trainer welfare and had amazing skill which he transferred to different generations of boxers beginning from the legendary Azumah Nelson himself. As a journalist, visits to his Attoh Quarshie gym were always rewarding. He ensured that you got good interviews and left you with leads to other big stories. I recall with sadness how Coach Alloway broke down in tears together with his boxer Joshua Clottey at a news conference because he had been denied a visa to travel to the US for the mega fight against Manny Pacquiao. I could feel his pain, because I saw in his eyes the passion to prove to the world that Ghana was indeed a great boxing nation. He gave his boxers confidence and was a father figure to many of them. Our relationship went beyond journalist and news source. We related well and he will place a phone call to check on me anytime we lost touch. We pray God receive Alloway in his arms” - Nathaniel Attoh, Ring Announcer/Editor, Joy Sports

“I switched my phone to see messages sent to me from my boxer Obodai Sai. I didn’t believe what I saw. He hasn’t been well and I visited him last week.I have lost a great guy. He was one of my pillars politically. He played a major role in the career of Nana Yaw Konadu. He always had a smile even under extreme provocation. We learnt the art of boxing together.” – Nii Lante Vanderuye, Dep. Minister Local Government/MP/Sports Broadcaster/former boxer  

“He always had the confidence to speak the truth in a sport where people unfortunately liked cut corners and do things the wrong way.”  “I always admired him for that. He was a delight when it came to dealing with journalists. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest boxing coaches to have emerged from Ghana.  I spoke to Joshua Clottey before his last fight and he mentioned that Alloway’s absence would affect him and true to his words, it did. We have lost a great treasure and will pray God to give us more of his kind.” – Worlanyo Wallas – Rainbow Radio  

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