In what has been described as a defence strategy and genuine sporting endeavour for students, the Nigeria Boxing Federation, NBF, promises to help the Nigerian University Games, NUGA, establish sports in the nation’s Universities ahead of the 2024 NUGA Games in Jos.
The NBF believes that the inclusion of boxing in the Nigerian University Games comes at a crucial time in the Nigerian ecosystem. The federation plans to have a training tour of Nigerian Universities for prospective athletes and coaches.
The unveiling of the partnership was announced Io n Monday August 1 2022 at a press briefing in Abuja addressed by the President of NUGA, Mr Emeka Ogbu, the Vice President of NBF, Azania Omo-Agege and the Technical Chairman of NUGA, Prof Musa Garba Yakassai.
Omo-Agege thanked NUGA for facilitating what he believes is the right move for the growth of Boxing in Nigeria.
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“We are excited about this project because the federation believes that this will help us find and groom future champions and bring back Olympic glory to Nigeria,” he said.
The NUGA President praised the collaboration with NBF as a worthwhile idea since it will allow students to channel their energy into boxing, combat anti-social behaviour, and provide female students with self-defence skills.
“Sports is also a team builder between campuses by building friendship and providing the platform for our students and society to give the students the opportunity to showcase their talent,” Ogbu said.
NUGA Technical Chairman, Prof Yakasaiz said they saw that many students were interested in boxing following a demonstration carried out at the last NUGA Games held in March this year at the University of Lagos.
He said boxing will feature as the 18th medal sport at the 2024 Games at the University of Jos, by joining other combatant sports like Taekwondo, Judo and Karate which are medal sports at NUGA.
He also urged the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, to back a policy that will make it mandatory for Nigerian university students to be considered for selection for the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and the All Africa Games in the future given the depth of talent at the universities.
Both parties called on the Sports Ministry, public and private sponsors to invest in this venture.
