The Nigeria Boxing
Federation (NBF) has said that the country’s participation at the World Boxing Championships (WBC), scheduled to hold in Almty, Kazakhstan, would serve as a build up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The NBF’s Acting Secretary, Tunde Laguda, told newsmen in Lagos that the championships would hold between October 11 and 27.
The 16-day open championships would be organised by the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA).
“It is very necessary for our athletes to take part in this competition because the Commonwealth Games is holding next year, so we need to maximise the opportunity to kick-start our preparations.
“It is also an opportunity to expose our boxers to the new scoring system used in international competitions, so that they will be able to get acquainted, for excellent performance,’’ Laguda said.
He said that 30 boxers and four technical officials have resumed camping at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Gym, National Stadium, Lagos, in preparation for the championships.
He added that the boxers were selected based on their individual performances at the National Open Boxing Championships held in Lagos in August.
“The Open Championships provided an opportunity which was used to identify the selected athletes that are now in camp. The selection was based on individual merit,” he added.
Laguda gave the names of technical officials as Tony Koyegwachie (head coach), Wasiu Bisiriyu, Gowon Odadare and Adura Olalehin, adding that the coaches were competent to prepare the boxers.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games will hold in Glasgow, Scotland, in the UK, from July 23 to August 3.