Sports
Nigeria Boxing Federation Boss Resigns Minimah Steps In
The crisis in the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) came to a head on Saturday, when the President, Rotimi George-Taylor, resigned, claiming that he had achieved his objective of being the NBF chief.
Tidesports source reports that Brig.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, took over as the new NBF President.
Although no reason was given for George-Taylor’s resignation, it might, however, not be unconnected with the dismal performance of Nigerian boxers at the just-conlcuded 19th Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
At the head of the crisis was the decision not to take boxers from the middleweight to the heavyweight class to the Games as well as alleged favouritism in the selection of the team, which was blamed on the former president.
The former president incurred the wrath of the Sports Minister/Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Ibrahim Bio, during the Games when he was seeking the Minister’s blessing to contest for membership of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA).
The heated board meeting held at the National Stadium, Lagos, was specifically convened to effect the change in the federation’s leadership.
Emerging from the meeting in full army gear, Minimah told anxious newsmen that boxing was in a deplorable state and promised the new NBF leadership would do everything within its power to reverse the situation.
“Boxing is in a serious state of decline and it needs to be urgently revived and restored to its former pride of place.
“I promise to do my very best to ensure that the process is revived in all its ramifications,’’ he said.
George-Taylor said he stepped down voluntarily, claiming that the decisions he took while in office were in the best interest of boxing.
The former president said he still remained a member of the board and expressed confidence that the new NBF chief would succeed.
In another development, estranged boxing Chief Coach, Obisia Nwankpa, has been restored to his position, while Idika Nsofor remained as the Technical Adviser.
The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.
A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.
Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.