NBB Of C Urges Incentives For Sporsorships

The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), has appealed to the Federal Government to grant adequate tax rebates for corporate organisations that sponsor professional boxing in Nigeria.

Remi Aboderin, the Secretary of NBB of C, told newsmen in Lagos that such gestures would attract corporate sponsors to boxing and other sports.

Aboderin said that the NBB of C had a long list of boxers who want to turn professional, but lack of promoters was stalling the growth of professional boxing in the country.

He added that sports sponsorships ought to be thriving in Nigeria because of the large number of corporate organisations.

“When we approach these organisations for an assistance, they give us a series of excuses, especially high taxes which make it impossible for them to sponsor sports.

“We have quite a number of boxers who can rub shoulders with their foreign counterparts, but lack of promoters has been our greatest challenge.

“If government can give corporate organisations tax rebates, then we will be able to convince them to promote professional boxing,” he said.

Aboderin said that professional boxing needed huge funds and good organisation for it to bring back good fortunes.

He said that the sport would benefit Nigeria’s foreign exchange, as well as put the country’s name on the sport’s world map.

“Amateur boxing alone cannot bring the expected fortunes to this country; they have to test their might internationally,” Aboderin said.

The NBB of C secretary also appealed to individuals to assist the board to perform its primary function of regulating professional boxing.