SPORTS
My Mission is to Revitalize, Strengthen Nigeria’s Boxing Industry – Adrian Ogun
By Jude Opara, Abuja
A Nigerian born international sporting promoter, Dr. Adrian Ogun has said that he is ready to give back to the country by bringing his expertise in discovering and promoting young and talented personalities into the Nigerian boxing industry.
To this effect, Ogun has concluded arrangements with the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC) and AMDM Promotions to scout and develop unknown talented Nigerians into becoming boxing legends.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, Dr.
Ogun said he and AMDM had in the past promoted world championship boxing shows that featured the likes of Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jnr. Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko.“This, no doubt, prompted the NBBofC to recently grant a license to AMDM Promotions to promote boxing shows in Nigeria to showcase and develop home grown Nigerian boxing talents.
“AMDM Promotions is part of the AMDM group of companies managed by Dr. Ogun and co-founded by Nigerian sports entrepreneur, Tunde Folawiyo. Mr Folawiyo, is a Forbes listed oil, banking and communications mogul – who has interests in the NBA franchise “Basketball Africa League (BAL) and a consortium building a new 10,000 plus seater sporting and entertainment arena in Lagos”.
According to the statement, Dr. Ogun, through AMDM Africa, runs the boxing TV streaming arm of ‘Lion’ a UK based boxing promotional company owned by former World boxing champion Lennox Lewis.
His agency successfully streamed the Francis Ngannou v Tyson Fury controversial boxing match (where many viewers believed Cameroonian Ngannou was robbed of victory) to Airtel Africa’s mobile phone audience of up to 130 million users on 28th October 2023.
Lennox Lewis and Dr. Ogun aim to be at the ringside again in Riyadh on 17th February 2024 when Tyson Fury fights Olek Uysk in Riyadh for undisputed heavyweight WBC/WBA/IBF/IBO titles.
Ironically, Lennox Lewis – the last undisputed world heavy weight boxing champion since 1999 – loses his 25 year reign as the ‘last undisputed’ heavyweight title holder the day that fight is concluded on 17th February 2024.
Dr. Ogun added; “Over the past three decades Nigeria has produced world class heavyweight boxing talent in the form of: Henry Akinwande, Herbie Hide Maduagwu, Ike Ibeabuchj, Samuel Peter, Anthony Joshua and the rising new heavyweight boxing star, Efe Ajagba.
“Sadly, these sons of Nigeria were neither developed nor showcased in Africa for their adoring fans watch and enjoy.
“My mission at AMDM boxing promotions and AMDM Africa is to both develop Nigerian boxing talent on the African continent and provide youths with streaming access to the boxing performances of their heroes, via their mobile phones,”
Dr. Ogun is also reputed to be a talent builder even outside boxing; as he is reputed to have played a part I the success story of two former Super Eagles players; Mikel Obi and Taiye Taiwo.
“When John Obi Mikel and Taiye Taiwo were 14 year old footballers, I ran a football and boxing agency in the UK, called “Sport Entertainment and Media” (S.E.M. was quoted on the London Stock Exchange AIMS junior market) with FIFA agent Jerome Anderson.
“John Shittu (a Nigerian football agent) introduced Obi Mikel and Taiye Taiwo to me at SEM and I used my relationship with Raymond Hack (of the South African Footballing Federation) and SEM’s financial muscle to get both Mikel and Taiwo placement contracts, at 14 years of age, to develop their footballing and academics skills with football club at Ajax Cape Town before their big money moves, years later, to European clubs. I plan to do the same now with Nigerian boxing talent”, explained Dr. Adrian Ogun.
On infrastructural development, Dr. Ogun promised to establish quality gyms, and boxing trainers and coaches in collaboration with Golden Gloves, Africa’s longest and most established boxing organization.
It could be recalled that prior to the Francis Ngannou v Tyson Fury fight in October 2023, AMDM Africa agreed to work in collaboration with the management company of Cameroonian pugilist Francis Ngannou which could provide opportunities for Kevin Lerena to feature on the undercard of future Francis Ngannou boxing bouts.
The duo of Mariam Eniola Bolaji and Jeremiah Chigozie have qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games coming up from 28th August to 8th September.
According to the Badminton World Federation, Multiple African Champion, Mariam Bolaji will represent Nigeria in the Women’s Singles Standing Lower 3 (SL3) while Jeremiah Chigozie represents Nigeria in the Men’s Singles Standing Lower 4 (SL4).
An elated Francis Orbih, President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria said the qualification of Mariam Bolaji and Jeremiah Chigozie is a testimony of hard work, consistency and perseverance.
Orbih who was full of joy revealed that Nigeria stands a good chance to make history by winning medals in para badminton in her debut appearance.
He said, “Today, history has been made as two players for the first time will be representing Nigeria in the para badminton event at the Paralympic Games. I am full of joy because the sacrifices of the players and the Federation were not in vain.
“Mariam Bolaji and Jeremiah Chigozie have consistently attended the African Championship winning gold medals in the singles and doubles events. Last month, Mariam Bolaji won two gold medals at the Spanish Internationals in Victoria and Toledo putting her in a better position to make it to the Paralympics; which has become a reality.
“With adequate camping, foreign tours and proper funding, I believe Nigeria will win a medal in the Para Badminton event when we make our debut this year”.
Orbih once again, called on well meaning individuals to support the Badminton Federation of Nigeria in ensuring the athletes get maximum support ahead of the Olympic/Paralympic Games in Paris next August.
He said, “I will not get tired of calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the private sector to key into our brand and give more support to the Badminton Federation of Nigeria. We have athletes who are marketable and will sell their brands to the world with their sterling performances”.
Mariam Eniola Bolaji shocked the world by winning her first gold medal at the Spanish Para badminton International 2021 beating Oksana Kozyna from Ukraine.
Bolaji won the women’s singles SL3 at the Uganda Para Badminton International 2023, All African Para Badminton Championship 2023 (Doubles and Mixed Doubles).
She won gold medals at the 5th Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023, Egypt Para Badminton International 2024, World Para Badminton Championship 2024 in Thailand and Spanish Para Badminton International 2024.
Bolaji is also the first African player to be ranked among the top 10 in the BWF world rankings as she is currently ranked number 5 in the world.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah Chigozie won bronze medal at the Uganda Para Badminton International 2023 and three gold medals at African Para Badminton Championship 2023
He played a lesser number of championships compared to Eniola; playing in Egypt, Dubai, and World Championship in Thailand.
Chigozie got to the quarter finals in the men’s singles SL4 category in Thailand and currently ranked number 16 in the recent BWF para Badminton ranking.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s table tennis pacesetter, Aruna Quadri, on winning the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Cup title.
Quadri achieved a resounding victory in the final match of the 2024 ITTF Africa Cup in Rwanda, reclaiming his title and sealing his place as Africa’s table tennis champion.
The President commended the table tennis star for his dogged pursuit of excellence even in the face of gnawing obstacles, declaring that the zeal for distinction, the hardiness to succeed, and the inventiveness to solve complex problems are the exceptional qualities that define Nigerians.
The President also noted the recent progress in the nation’s sports sector, with remarkable performances in the African Games, the Africa Cup of Nations, and the World Relay Championships, and emphasized that his administration will continue to foster the growth and development of sports in the country.
The Board of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Finidi George as Head Coach of the Senior Men National Football Team, the Super Eagles.
A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, on Monday said the NFF approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to appoint George.
Reports says that the ace winger spent 20 months as assistant to José Peseiro before the Portuguese voluntarily left the post after guiding the team to silver medal at AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
George took charge of the squad in acting capacity during two friendly matches in Morocco last month.
His squad edged Ghana 2-1 in the first match, ending an 18-year winless streak against the Black Stars, but then lost 0-2 to Mali in the second game.
He was a member of the so-styled ‘Golden Generation’ that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia.
The team also emerged the second most entertaining team in Nigeria’s debut at the FIFA World Cup finals in USA the same year.
George won 62 caps for Nigeria, including featuring at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals. He also won gold, silver and bronze medals from the 1992, 1994, 2000 and 2002 AFCON tournaments.
The 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Real Betis (Spain) forward made a scoring debut for fatherland in an AFCON qualifying match against Burkina Faso at the National Stadium, Lagos, on July 27, 1991.
He also featured for Calabar Rovers and Sharks FC in the domestic scene before heading to Europe.
He assisted Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) to score Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA, on 19th June 1994.
George had actually scored the goal that took Nigeria to that FIFA World Cup debut, when he put Nigeria ahead against hosts Algeria in a crucial qualifier in Algiers on 8th October, 1993.
The match eventually ended 1-1 and earned Nigeria a ticket to the finals in America.
George’s immediate task will be to guide the Super Eagles to victory in two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic in Uyo and Abidjan respectively, in a little over five weeks.
The matches are must-win encounters, with the Super Eagles lagging behind in third place in Group C of the African campaign behind Rwanda and South Africa.(NAN)
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