SPORTS
Boxing Federation Upgrades Enugu Officials to National Referees, Judges
The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has upgraded the status of boxing officials from Enugu state to national referee and judges, after undergoing a week-long course.The week-long course, which commenced on Aug. 23 in Enugu, was organised by the NBF and sponsored by the South East representative on the federation board, Dr.
Osondu Ogbu. Theparticipants were decorated with their national badges by NBF Caretaker Committee chairman, Dr. Joseph Oyeni, on Tuesday, in Enugu.Oyeni, also a retired Brig-Gen, was in the state to oversee the week long course and finally, rewarded the participants with their national badges.Speaking after the event, Enugu state Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Manfred Nzekwe, said the training was a wake-up call for the participants.“To whom much is given, much is also expected, participants are expected to show professionalism whenever they are called up to serve.“This is the first time we are having Referees’ and Judges course in Enugu and it gives room to have our own people in boxing affairs.“These are people that will be in a position to decide winners in competitions and when your people are there, it gives boxers confidence,” he said.Nzekwe thanked the organisers and the Ministry of Youths and Sports for the opportunity, while expressing that all the participants scaled through the course and were being honoured with national referee and judges badges.The Vice Chairman, Enugu state Boxing Association (ESBA) CSP. Ebere Amaraizu, described the course as a great one, while commending the state government for the conducive atmosphere afforded them before, during and after the training.Amaraizu, who is also the national coordinator, Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), noted that the referees and judges would always play an integral role in boxing organisation, as the development of the game revolved around them.“We do not have many national officials on the federation, but we have trained a good number of them that are energetic. This training will serve as a boost to boxing development in Enugu state and Nigeria at large,”Amaraizu said.A participant and Enugu state Boxing Coach, Blaise Ude, disclosed that no fewer than 35 people attended the course and received the national referee and judges badge at the end.“We have at least five participants from Enugu State and this will boost the number of national officials from the our state and the South-East zone.“Now that I have been trained and elevated to national official, I promise to justify this training and the honour whenever called upon,” he said.Ude thanked the sponsor of the course, Ogbu and NBF Caretaker Committee chairman, Oyeni for the course and the elevation.NAN reports that the week-long course which drew participants from different states of the federation ended on Aug. 31. (NAN)Nigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying series will take place on Wednesday at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12 noon and will be streamed live on CAF TV.
A total of 35 national teams, including Super Falcons will participate in the qualifiers, which will be played over five rounds.
The other countries are; Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea.
Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the other countries that will take part in the qualifiers.
Two teams will earn Africa’s slots at the women’s football tournament of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons and Copper Queens of Zambia represented the continent at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) monthly tournament returns on Saturday, celebrating founder Wale Edun’s 70th birthday marked on Monday, April 20.
“This special edition honours our founder’s enduring legacy,” said Mr David Mohamed, LBHF Director, in a statement issued on Thursday.
The tournament will be held at Agege Stadium in Lagos State.
Founded in 2010 by Edun, LBHF is widely regarded as Nigeria’s and Africa’s longest-running amateur boxing tournament.
Until Tuesday, Edun was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, before resigning his post on health grounds.
“The initiative provides a platform for young boxers to train and gain exposure,” Mohamed said, noting its role in grassroots boxing development.
As a non-profit organisation, LBHF has nurtured talents who have achieved national and international success.
“This edition doubles as a tribute to Edun, whose vision has shaped many boxing careers,” Mohamed added.
Action begins with Fatade Juwon facing Abiodun Yusuf in the men’s 50kg category.
Tajudeen Yekini will then confront Adele Faruq in the 55kg division.
In the men’s 60kg category, Tajudeen Rasheed meets Ogunleye Aliazeem, while Mosuru Adedeji battles Innocent Prosper.
Exhibition bouts will feature Princess Adeola against Zainab Ibrahim in the women’s 28kg category, and Adeseye Kalid versus Saliu Razak in the men’s 34kg division.
The sole women’s main-card clash will see Oluwatoyin Amirat face Aminashaun Raheemo in the 48kg division.
Wahab Ramadan will meet Lawal Opeyemi in the men’s 70kg bout, before Makinde Mohamed faces Ibadiaro Idris in the 75kg category.
The event concludes with Lawal Mohammed against Oluwapo Oluwaseun in the men’s 80kg title bout.
Over the years, LBHF has developed talents like Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje, producing fighters who have represented Nigeria with distinction.
“This celebration reinforces our mission to sustain boxing as a pathway for young Nigerians,” Mohamed said.
English and Italian football giants Manchester City, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus will square up for pre-season friendlies in Hong Kong in August, the clubs announced yesterday.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, currently arm-wrestling Arsenal for the Premier League title, will take on Inter Milan on Saturday, August 1, spearheaded by their Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland.
The match will kick off the “Hong Kong Football Festival” at the city’s futuristic 50,000-seat Kai Tak stadium.
The gleaming arena opened a year ago, featuring a roof that can be closed and air-conditioning to combat the fierce summer heat and humidity in Hong Kong.
Chelsea will play Juventus on Wednesday August 5 to round off the mini-tournament.
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