Alaafin Frowns Over Poor Performance in Boxing, Says Govt, Individuals Need To Develop Sports

By Abdulrofiu Agboola, Osogbo

The foremost traditional ruler, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has berated over the continued depreciation in the boxing and other sporting activities in the country over the years.

The revered monarch also condemned the poor attitude of individuals and corporate bodies to the promotion and development of boxing as a sport in Nigeria, saying “all hands must be on deck to resuscitate the dearth state in the sector”.

Oba Adeyemi said this has been responsible for the country’s inability to produce world class boxers as done in the past when the country produced the likes of the Late Hogan Kid Bassey,Dick Tiger,Bash Ali and Dele Jonathan.

Oba Adeyemi who had many fights to his credits during his active days in boxing, attributed the challenges facing sports especially boxing to lack of support to sporting activities.

He called on young Boxers throughout the country to turn up in large number to participate and showcase their boxing potentials in the boxing tournament packaged to celebrate his 78th birthday

Speaking through his son who is a member of the House of Representatives, Prince Akeem Adeyemi, the foremost royal father argued that, “I don’t care attitude of government at all levels towards supporting the game of boxing has been responsible for the country’s inability to produce world champions as it was in the past”.

He said this in a statement issued to herald Alaafin United Boxing Tournament organized by Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in conjunction with the former Nigeria National/African and UBC World Boxing Champion, Mojeed Okedara.

The traditional ruler who will be celebrating his 78th birthday anniversary comes 15th October, however called n all to make a difference in elevating boxing in the country.

Meanwhile,  the chairman, organizing Committee for the event and CEO, Mojfrican Global Events and Nigeria National/Africa and World Boxing Champion, Mojeed Okedara, disclosed that a total sum of N20m has been earmarked to make the ceremony a colourful and historic one.

Champion Okedara who listed parts of the activities of the event to be Alaafin of Oyo United Boxing Tournament/Veteran Distinguished Sports Honourary Awards, assured that, the programme would be a classical one as all preparation had been made to make it a successful one.

He stressed that, other interesting programme to portray the monarch as a boxer would also be featured by younger boxers who would storm the venue of the event to add colour to the day from far and near.

While appreciating Mojeed Okedara for his decision to stage a national tournament to mark the birthday anniversary, the monarch commended his efforts and prayed to God to fortify him with more strengths and powers.