Boxing stakeholders in Nigeria have decried the ploy by some persons to move the country from World Boxing to the International Boxing Association (IBA).
World Boxing is the sole international Federation approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to govern the sport at the Olympic Games. This implies that national federations not affiliated with the World Boxing Association won’t participate in the boxing event in the Olympics and other (IOC) sanctioned championships.
According to the stakeholders, some foreign agents who have been promised a financial grant of ($2.3 million) by the International Boxing Association (IBA) are trying to infiltrate the newly inaugurated board of the Nigerian Boxing Federation (NBF) to deceptively affiliate the body with the Switzerland-based Association.
They have called on the (NBF) leadership to remain vigilant of the activities of these interlopers.
You can also read: Lagos Thrills as Azeez and Glanton Dominate in Historic Boxing Night
It will be recalled that the President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) Engr. Habu Gumel, while congratulating the new (NBF) board, urged the body’s leadership to prioritise the career of the athletes and Nigeria’s participation at the Olympics by strengthening its affiliation with World Boxing.
Several Nigerian boxing greats and veterans have equally urged the Nigerian Boxing Federation to remain with World Boxing for the sake of the athletes and the nation’s integrity.
They include Joe Mensah, Isaac Ikhoria, Alhaji Masha, and PA. Muili Ojo. Others are Ajani Aremu, Bolaji Ezekiel, Omoruyi Roland, and William Azano. Also on the list are Elder Joseph Osewa, Sabo Muhammed, Femi Baba Femi, and Joseph Sagotogun, amongst others.
The veterans also urged the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to caution the foreigners trying to infiltrate Nigerian sports for their selfish gains.