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The Nigerian boxing Federation’s decision to float with the World Boxing Association is “a pragmatic step to protect the future of Nigeria’s boxing and Boxers who desires to participate in the Olympic Games”.
Secretary of the Nigerian Boxing Referees/Judges Association, Laguda Babatunde made this known to Patmos Media Line on Friday.
Speaking on the controversy of shifting from the International Boxing Association to WBA, Laguda said the IBA is not accredited by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Nigeria needs the WBA to push her boxers to participate in the Olympic Boxing events that had brought many Nigerian Boxers to global limelight.
He stated thus: “As things stands, IBA and their affiliates are persona non grata within the IOC movement, hence they cannot present Boxers nor organize the Olympic Boxing events”.
Laguda explained that the NBF decision to float with the WBA is “not based on sentiments, emotions or inordinate ambition to be relevant at all cost “ but to the strong desires of Boxing stake holders in Nigeria to upgrade.
The Scribe of the R&F group, also said the decision to migrate was a foresight of the NBF President, Gen. Minimah adding that the WBA is “the only global boxing body in affiliation with the IOC”.
Laguda added that the R&J Group is affiliated to a commission under the NBF and the decision of the NBF as the Boxing Power House in Nigeria is supreme more so under this circumstances of the status of the IBA.
He distanced his Association from one Etim Edem Okon who earlier wrote in the media on behalf of the R&J Group alleging that Mr. Okon is simply an impersonator.
According to him, Mr. Okon was Vice President of the R&F group till 2018 and was at no time the President of the Body. He could therefore not speak for the body even claiming to be the President of the group.
Laguda reiterated that the R&J under the current Presidential leadership of University Lecturer and also President of the Yoruba Nollywood Actors, Dr. Razak Oyadiran and his Executives are in support of the Nigerian Boxing Federation NBF’s decision to migrate to the World Boxing Association, WBA.
We report that the Nigerian Boxing house has been under leadership tussles between Gen. Minimah and his Vice, Mr. Azania Omo-Agege to the extent that sponsorship of the suspension of this and that personality rented the air.
It is expected that the Sports Minister and the Federal Ministry of Sports that moderates Sporting bodies will soon meet the combating forces for Nigeria to return into global hall of fame in Boxing.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
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