GFM Sports: What is Kickboxing all about?

Col. Sharpe: Kickboxing is a combat sport that involves the use of both the hand and legs alongside other special skills (combination of martial arts and boxing).

GFM Sports: How well do you think kickboxing will impact positively on the livelihood of Ghanaians?

Col. Sharpe: Kickboxing is a dynamic sport, aside that is has the basis of promoting defence for the youth and adults. It could also be used as a training tool for the various security services. Women vulnerable to social vices such as arm robbery and rape could also learn to defend themselves through kickboxing. 

In India and the far East for instance it is obligatory in academical curriculum because it instills discipline and also serves as employment to the youth. It also promotes tourism.

GFM Sports: Does the sport relate well with Ghanaians?

Col. Sharpe: Africans and for that matter Ghanaians are usually known for their brute strength, if we can add the skill, Ghana has the potential of becoming a major kickboxing hub in the world. I visited a primary school to introduce the sport, and the kind of enthusiasm it was greeted with.. you should have been there.

GFM Sports: Isn't Kickboxing a 'savage' sport like people perceive it to be?

Col Sharpe: Even if care is not taking when eating, do you know it can kill? The sport is worldwide and thus well regulated. It is never at all a savage sport but rather improves the defense and instills discipline in an individual.

GFM Sports: In this part of the world where football is commands the chunk of resources and following, how do you manage to get logistics in keeping the association active?

Col Sharpe: It has been very downting. If not for my personal love for the sport, i would have died. But i don't believe in defeat so i am standing tall and luckily for me i have someone like the Austrian Consul who is giving a lot of support. We also have people from other countries who have been inviting us but the Sports Council should do better than so far.

GFM Sports: What kind of support are you asking for from the NSC?

Col Sharpe: It is release of funds. Last time i was taking some boys to north Africa, i had to take a loan with interests with my own money and it took a long time.. i would have been in jeopardy if it hadn't been paid in time. 

I am not asking for too much but at least when we present a budget i expect it to be treated with the some sort of dispatch. It is the little thing on which we can build so we need support from the Sports Council and the Ministry.

GFM Sports: Does kickboxing have the potential of winning laurels for Ghana?

Col Sharpe: I have the knack to discover talents and they are all over the place. We trained a chap who used  to be a boxer and sent him to Austria, he was just beating the guys there..nobody could match him. We need to form regional associations immediately so we can have a national team. It is time for everybody to come on board.

GFM Sports: What is the future of the sport in Ghana?

Col Sharpe: Our short to middle term target is to train young talents in preparation for the Olympic games. And i can assure you if the support and all other things needed is given, we will come away with a haul of medals.