The leadership of the National Sports Commission, led by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, has heaped praise on the Nigerian Boxing team for its performance at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, platinumnewsng.com is reporting
The NSC Chairman extolled the boxers for doing the nation proud in the squared ring sports at the Games. Dikko made this known when he hosted the pugilists and their coach on their return to the country on Thursday.
In a statement made available by the Director of Communications, Nigeria Boxing Federation, Mathew Okugbe, the NSC boss, who was in the company of the DG, Hon. Bukola Olopade, pledged the body’s commitment to revamp boxing in Nigeria. Dikko said the commission will work closely with the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) to reposition the squared ropes sports in the country.
In his words: “We are proud of what the boxers were able to achieve in Riyadh despite the very limited time they had to prepare for the event, they have made the nation proud as worthy ambassadors”.
“Nigeria has the potential to rule the rest of the continent in boxing, we are going to work closely with the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) to scout and develop more talents across the nation through vigorous grassroots programs”. Dikko said.
The Nigerian Boxing contingent, led by coach Oyeleye Abayomi, has Raheem Ridwan Male (65kg), a welterweight, and Adeshina Zainab Motunrayo who bagged a Silver Medal in the women’s (51kg) Flyweight.
The Vice President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Hon. Omonlei Imadu, praised the NSC leadership for their commitment to the advancement of Olympic-style boxing in the country.
Imadu, who initiated the first-ever amateur boxing league in Africa, said the NBF will continue to work closely with the National Sports Commission to improve the standard of the squared ropes sports in Nigeria.