NBF Denies Withdrawal Of Boxers From Olympics

The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), has said that it was unaware. of the decision by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to withdraw Nigeria from the boxing event of the 2012 Olympic Games.         

  NBF Secretary Patrick Uwagbale told newsmen in Lagos that if there was such a decision, it has yet to be contacted officially.

He spoke against the backdrop of speculations that the NSC took the decision following the boxers’ poor performances in recent competitions, including the Delhi Commonwealth Games in India.

“If it is true, the NBF will appeal to the NSC to rescind it,” Uwagbale sa’ .

He stressed that the only reason that might prevent Nigerian boxers  from featuring at the London Olympics was the trials which would hold in February 2012.

“The boxers should be given the benefit of doubt to prove that they will be worthy representatives of the country at the Olympics through the trials.

“Where we fail to qualify for the Games at the trials, then the NSC will be justified in its alleged plan not to feature the boxers,” he said.

The secretary also  said that the NBF planned to organise a national boxing  championships in February to select boxers to represent Nigeria at the All Africa Games in Mozambique.            

“We intend to use the national championships to pick the very best male and female boxers in the country.

“Boxers selected from the championships will be invited to camp to start preparation for the All Africa Games holding in August.

“We, therefore, call on corporate sponsors to partner with us in our drive to reposition boxing in the country,” he said.

Uwagbale added that the Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah-led NBF intended to restore boxing in the country to its lost glory through well thought out programmes.