Minimah’s interest in boxing development thrills NBF chief

The Vice President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Ibrahim Zango, has commended the NBF President, Kenneth Minimah, for his genuine interest in developing boxing in Nigeria.

Zango, who has been in Lagos since last week ahead of the first edition of the Kenneth Minimah National Men and Women Open Boxing Championship/2015 All Africa Games trials, which began yesterday, said he was overwhelmed by the large turn out of boxers for the event even at the shortest notice.

“This has been our prayer for Nigerian boxing… Somebody that has the interest to develop the sport. With just two years in office as president of Nigeria Boxing, Minimah has raised the standard of the sport to greater heights. He used his personal fund to sponsor Team Nigeria to Cameroun where the country won two gold and one bronze medal. He also sponsored Nigeria’s team to the African Boxing Congress held in Togo all in an effort to reposition boxing in the country.”

Zango added: “For instance, in 2010, Nigerian boxing team went to 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India without winning a single medal but four years later, our boxers under the leadership of Minimah went to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and won three medals, which was a great improvement when compared with their 2010 outing in India. And now, the same Minimah is sponsoring another National Championship from where boxers that will represent Nigeria at the forthcoming 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville in September will be selected.”