Flykite Productions, organisers of GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, have expressed hope that that the talent hunt initiative will produce a wave of new boxers that is sufficiently talented to rule the world.
This expectation was disclosed on Thursday by Bamidele Johnson, Chief Operating Officer, Flykite Productions, at the opening of GOtv Boxing NextGen Search 5 holding at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin on Thursday.
According to him, the programme was conceived to address the leanness of the professional boxing pool by providing the young amateur boxers the opportunity to turn professional and be appropriately nurtured.
“The previous editions of the GOtv Boxing NextGen have been successful, delivering talents in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States and we hope for more here in Ilorin,” Johnson said.
“GOtv, our sponsors, are committed to this programme and evidence of the commitment could be seen in their payment of the fees of selected boxers’ professional licences and as pre-licensing medical examination.”
He advised participating boxers to follow the examples of other graduates of the programme, some of whom have earned millions of naira by winning the best boxer award at GOtv Boxing Night.
Johnson added: “On this note, I want to admonish all boxers to remain dedicated and best of luck.”
In attendance at the event were the Director, Kwara State State Sports Commission, Mallam Tunde Kareem; Dr. Rafiu Ladipo and Mr. Remi Aboderin, President and Secretary-General respectively of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB ofC, as well as Jennifer Ukoh, Public Relations Manager, GOtv.
The event, which will end on Friday, had staged 12 sparring sessions as at the time of filing this report.
