Mike Basi (left) and Danny O'Sullivan will have key roles at London 2012. Pic: Kleo

Olympic ring announcer Danny O’Sullivan has been elected to ABA England

Dagenham boxing club secretary Danny O’Sullivan continues his rise through the ranks of amateur boxing officials following his election to ABA England as the London council member.

The appointment shows the support that ever-enthusiastic ‘Dagger Dan’ gets from his colleagues on the London ABA and he welcomes the opportunity to play a role at national level.

The club stalwart has always encouraged youngsters to try amateur boxing and has been a prime mover in the ‘Summer Boxing Skills scheme’, held annually during the school holidays to attract local schoolchildren into the sport.

He welcomes his new place on the national governing body. “I hope it will be a big opportunity for me to play an integral role in the development of the sport,” he said.

There’s certainly no off-season summer break for Dagenham’s secretary. After overseeing the first of the skills scheme sessions at the Heathway Gym on Monday, he prepared for his role at the Olympic Games where he is an official announcer.

On Tuesday he headed for the massive ExCel Arena for the Olympic Boxing Ring Announcers rehearsals as preparation for the official start on Saturday.

“There are four solid days of practice before the tournament gets underway,” he said.

“I’m now really looking forward to it – I’m not nervous at all.”

He will be joined at the tournament by another local boxing figure – Fairbairn BC referee/judge Mik Basi – for years an outstanding official on the home and international boxing scene.

O’Sullivan and Basi – both born in Newham – look forward to the Olympics getting underway in the borough where they first saw the light of day.

“I’m absolutely confident Team GB will deliver a big medal tally,” said O’Sullivan. “I think we can expect one or two boxing gold medals.”