Sports
Boxing Champion Calls For More Tournaments
Local wrestlers in a contest
The current West African
Light Welterweight Champion Olaide Fijabi, has called for more boxing championships to improve the sport in the country.
Fijabi spoke to the newsmen during a reception in his honour by the Chairman of Lagos State Sport Commission (LSSC), Deji Tinubu.
He was crowned the West African Champion in the light welterweight category after he defeated, Djamiou Elepo of the Republic of Benin at the GOtv boxing event on March 25.
Prior to the fight, the boxer has won four gold medals at various Sports Festivals in Nigeria and in recognition of his achievements; the Lagos State Sports Commission employed him.
Fijabi told newsmen at the reception that boxing championships in the country were not enough for boxers to assess their skills.
He thanked GOtv for intervening, and urged other stake holders to sponsor more championships to improve boxers.
“I thank GOtv for the initiative to organise boxing championship in Nigeria, but we need more championships to enable us to keep fit and maintain our weight categories.
“When some people see us, they think as champions, we should be rich, but on the contrary, most of us cannot afford to feed ourselves.
“Some of our relatives are looking up to us for survival and they are often embarrassed when we cannot provide for them,’’ he told newsmen lamenting that there were boxers but not enough competitions.
“This has been our story so far, all because we don’t have championships.
“I can even say that the training equipment are not there for us. Boxing is almost gone in Nigeria before GOtv came to the rescue.’’
Fijabi commended the LSSC for supporting boxers from the state, urging other states to emulate the gesture.
“I am grateful to LSSC for giving me this opportunity. Although I have been courted by other states which I promised me some incentives but I am resolute to remain in Lagos.
“Lagos has provided me with training equipment and other incentives, including sponsoring me for the championship because I am on their payroll.
“I equally thank GOtv for bringing such a championship but I pray we have more championships to save the face of boxing in Nigeria.
“It is even sad to know that we don’t have boxing promoters again in the country, we need to do something about this,’’ the boxer said.
Fijabi added that if the country had wanted boxers to perform well at different international championships, it should address the dearth of local championships.
“We have potential boxers in the country, but we don’t have promoters to encourage them, everybody needs to look in this direction because only those professional promoters can do the job.
“Boxing is not a sport for all comers else they will mess up the game,’’ he stressed.
Earlier, Tinubu had said that the state would continue to identify with home grown talents.
“I will do everything within my capacity to sponsor Fijabi and encourage him, which is why he is on the payroll of the state.
“Whatever Lagos State will do to empower him, will be provided. We want to promote sports to the highest level in the country,’’ he said.
Contributing, Head of Public Relation Unit, LSSC, Titi Oshodi, said that the state was passionate about the promotion of sports.
“We are promoting them by employing some of them into the service of the state and also providing training equipment for them.
“The boxing gym is provided to them free and it is located at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. The facilities for other sports abound across the state,’’ she said.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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