As the boxing world prepares for the 2021 AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, Nigerian boxers are yet to begin camping for the event, according to reports.
One of the boxers, who does not want his name mentioned, told the media that he and some of his colleagues don’t know the status of their participation at the global championship yet.
His words: “We have been training personally for over two months now and we are not even sure if we will attend the event, which starts in two weeks time,” the boxer said.
“The Nigeria Boxing Federation is yet to contact us (boxers) on plans for our participation.”
Nigeria has registered ten boxers for the event scheduled for October 26 to November 6 at the Stark Arena in Belgrade, Serbia.
The boxers are Shitty Faruq, 51kg, Omole Dolapo, 57kg, Yunusa Ayinla, 63. 5kg, Osita Umeh, 66kg, Abdulafeez Osoba, 71kg, and Korede Adeniji, 75kg.
The others are Innocent Ehiomene, 80kg, Godwin Ambrose, 86kg, Gabriel Francis, 92kg, and Adebayo Imoleayo +92kg.
According to another source the newly elected Nigerian Boxing Federation NBF board has started the process of appealing for funds for the team to travel for the competition.
In another reaction, the national boxing coach Tony Konyegwachie also expressed disappointment at the boxers’ inability to attend major tournaments in the last two years.
His words: “Every time we have a competition, what we hear them say is that there’s no money and that is very disheartening. The boxers have not competed in AIBA events in the last two years. They only get to attend competitions like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. This isn’t good for these athletes, their dream is to represent the country and win medals.” The Los Angeles Olympics silver medallist said.
For the first time the AIBA will be rewarding medal winners. The World body responsible for amateur boxing has set aside $2.6m(US dollar) as prize money.
According to the breakdown, gold medalists will earn $100,000, silver medalists $50,000 and bronze medalists $25,000.
