No fewer than 37 boxers won medals at the maiden South-East Amateur Boxing Championship, which featured 109 competitors from the five South-East states.

The three-day championship, sponsored by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, was held from June 24 to 26, 2026, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Each of the five participating states—Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo—fielded 12 athletes, comprising seven male and five female boxers.

At the end of the tournament, host state Abia emerged overall champions after securing eight gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

Enugu finished second with four gold, four silver and one bronze medal, while Imo placed third with one gold, one silver and five bronze medals.

Anambra came fourth with one gold and two bronze medals, while Ebonyi finished fifth with two silver and three bronze medals.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Abia State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Nwobilor Ananaba, described the championship as a significant milestone in the state’s drive to promote grassroots sports development and provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents.

He reminded the competitors that true sportsmanship extends beyond winning to include discipline, respect, courage and fair play.

“I urge all participants to compete with determination, uphold the rules of the game and make their states, coaches and families proud,” he said.

The commissioner also thanked Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the championship and for his administration’s sustained investment in sports development.

According to him, the governor has consistently demonstrated commitment to grassroots sports development, talent discovery, athlete empowerment and youth development.

Ananaba described the boxing championship as another demonstration of Governor Otti’s belief that sports remain a powerful tool for youth engagement, social inclusion, economic empowerment and regional integration.

He added that the government also sees sports as a means of creating employment opportunities, fostering peace and discouraging young people from engaging in criminal and anti-social activities.

Also speaking, a member of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bernard Nzeama, said the Federal Government remains committed to discovering and nurturing raw sporting talents across the country.

He expressed confidence that outstanding athletes from the championship would be groomed to represent both the South-East and Nigeria at national and international competitions.

Nzeama commended the Abia State Government for its commitment to grassroots sports development.

The Director of Sports in Abia State, Mr. Obioma George, described the championship as a strategic initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing future boxing champions.

He said Governor Otti’s administration is investing across all sectors of sports, adding that the championship would help produce a new generation of boxing stars for Abia State, the South-East and Nigeria.

At the closing ceremony, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Pastor (Mrs.) Jane Maxwell-Igwe, declared the championship a success and congratulated participating states and athletes for their discipline and sportsmanship.

“We didn’t just witness boxing contests; we witnessed the future of Nigerian boxing unfolding before our eyes,” she said.

“The tournament was never just about medals and trophies. It was about grassroots development and giving our youths a platform to punch their way to global stardom. We are confident that many of these athletes will become future Commonwealth, Olympic and world champions.”

In his closing remarks, Director of Sports Obioma George thanked the participating states, coaches, officials, referees and organisers for ensuring the success of the maiden championship and wished all delegates a safe journey back to their respective states.