Military, paramilitary services boost boxers with 500 gloves ahead of NSF

As part of efforts aimed at developing boxing at the grassroots, as well as, enabling boxers to prepare adequately for the forthcoming National Sports Festival (NSF) to be hosted by Ogun State, Nigerian Military and Paramilitary Forces have distributed 500 pairs of boxing gloves to states and some boxing clubs in the country.

The ceremony was held on Monday at the Old Skool Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. A representative of Military and Paramilitary Forces on the board of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Major Gen. Akinniyi Oladapo Oyelade, who did the presentation on behalf of the President of the Federation, Lt Gen. Kenneth Minimah (rtd), said that the gesture was part of efforts to take the sports to a higher pedestal, expressing hope that the items will go a long way in helping boxers to perform well.

“We are presenting these gloves to some states’ sports councils and boxing clubs across the country to assist them prepare adequately for the forthcoming Sports Festival to be hosted by Ogun State this year.”

“We think it’s important as a board to give our little bit of support to our boxers in preparation for the festival. It is also part of our support for the general development of the sport across the nation, particularly at the grassroots.
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It is true that the life span of this board is gradually running out, but I want to assure you on behalf of the president of the Federation, Lt Gen Kenneth Minimah (rtd) that the interest of boxing is paramount in our hearts and we’ll continue to do our best for boxing and boxers in Nigeria.”

Gen. Oyelade while lamenting the poor state of boxing in the country, promised that the military and paramilitary services will continue to support Nigeria to regain its leadership position in the pugilist game.

“Everyone is concerned about the decay in Nigerian boxing. In the past, people always wanted to see Nigerian boxers display their talents, but in recent times, we’ve not done too well in the sport and we’ll continue to do the best that we can to change that narrative

“You are equally aware that there have been some contending issues with our development, social and political life, and realising that sports play a very significant role in national and human capital development, the Military and Paramilitary Forces have continued to engage our personnel in sporting activities to ensure that they contribute to national development.” He also promised that the NBF will continue to reach out to sponsors and Corporate Nigeria to invest in boxing that produced medals for the country in the past.

“The NBF, under the leadership of Gen. Minimah, is unhappy with the level boxing has deteriorated and the abysmal performance of our pugilists in the last few years and we believe it’s time to pay more attention to our boxers and in doing this, we’ll continue to reach out to corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals to do the needful and invest in the sports”, he concluded.

On hand to receive the items were the Secretary General of NBF, Faseesin Olalekan, board members, states’ coaches, from Enugu, Lagos, Ondo, and Ogun, club coaches, and boxing stakeholders.