David Amade, the Presi
dent, Nigeria Boxing Coaches Association, on Sunday urged the National Sports Commission (NSC), to revive the lost glory of boxing in the country.
Amade told newsmen in Lagos that the commission should bankroll a national boxing competition to produce boxer that would restore the lost glory days of the sport.
According to him, the sport has in the past delivered medals to the country at major international competitions prior to its decline.
“The neglect of boxing by government has been responsible for the loss of its glory. It has always been a source of medals for the country
“In fact, the first three Olympic medals came from boxing. But one cannot imagine why the sport appears to have been abandoned.
“It will be good for the government to revive the sport through regular sponsorship of competitions as well as extending motivation to boxers as the country has great talents in the sport.’’
According to the president, the strength of many youths in the country can be positively channelled into the sport to make them productive.
Amade commended the board of the Nigeria Amateur Boxing Federation for seeking the cooperation of coaches in its activities.
He urged the board to extend its sponsorship drive to corporate bodies and public spirited individuals.
He said that the boxers would need to have not less than four to five competitions annually to raise world class boxers.
“Motivation is the key to get the best in any person. Currently, boxers are poorly motivated and this has discouraged many talents,’’ he said.
Nigeria won its first Olympic medal through late Nojeem Maiyegun, who won a bronze medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic in light middleweight class.
Nigeria also won another bronze in the 1972 Munich Games through Issac Ikhuoria in the light heavyweight class.
Peter Konyegwachia won silver for Nigeria at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic in the feather weight class, while David Izonritei (heavyweight) and Richard Igbineghu (Super heavyweight) won silver each at the Barcelona Games.