Nigerian Boxing Stakeholders Say “NO” To IBA, Embrace World Boxing

By Akeem Busari

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 Olympics Committee (IOC) to govern the sport at the Olympic Games.

This implies that national federation’s not affiliated with World Boxing won’t participate at the boxing event in the Olympics and other (IOC) sanctioned championship.

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) with the aim 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.

It will be recalled that the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC)Engr. Habu Gumel, while congratulating the new (NBF) board, urged the body’s leadership to prioritize the career of the athletes and Nigeria’s participation at the Olympics by strengthening it affiliation with World Boxing.

Several Nigerian boxing great 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.