The Secretary-General of Nigeria Boxing Federation, Dapo Akinyele has explained why the West African country withdrew from the Mandela African Boxing Cup tournament in Durban, South Africa.
And regarding rumours that the African Games champions might return to the International Boxing Association (IBA), Akinyele did not mince his words.
“Nigeria Boxing Federation is still in World Boxing and we’re there to stay,” Akinyele said emphatically from Nigeria in an interview with AFBC Communication.
Explaining why they’ll not take part in the Mandela African Boxing Cup tournament in Durban, South Africa, Anyebeli said:
“We chose to go to Thailand for the second World Olympic qualifiers, instead of Durban because to us the Olympic Games are more important, and the resources are limited.
“Our boxers are now preparing for Thailand, we intend to be represented by about eight boxers.”
On their decision to remain at World Boxing, Akinyele said they dumped IBA for World Boxing because they want to remain in the Olympics.
“The Olympics are the most important Games in the world, a symbol of prestige that’s why we’re in World Boxing because they’re fighting for boxing to remain in the Olympics.
“Nigeria is not fighting IBA, what we’re against is their policy on dealing with the International Olympic Committee, let them adopt a more diplomatic approach to sort out their issue with IOC.”
Asked why are they still in AFBC – an affiliate of IBA – if they have decamped to World Boxing, the Nigerian Boxing scribe was clear:
“AFBC is an African body for Africans, their affiliation to IBA does not remove us from Africa.
“During the African Games we met with AFBC President Eyassu Berhanu in Accra, we told him we like his leadership, he’s a nice person with good intentions but we told him we will remain in World Boxing.”
Reminded that even countries affiliated to IBA are still taking part in the Olympics, so what’s the difference, Anyebeli Once again had an answer.
“Look here my brother, our focus is long term, we’re in World Boxing to negotiate as a block for boxing to remain in the Olympics and more of us in World Boxing that’ll increase our chances of being recognised by IOC otherwise in 2028 boxing will not be in the Olympics, we don’t want to reach there because we want our boxers in the Olympics.
“You can go to 50 tournaments but if you’re not at the Olympics you’re missing something big. The Olympic Games are the ultimate test of excellence that’s why every boxer and other sportsmen would like to be at the Olympics. We’re in World Boxing purely on principle, nothing else.”
What happens if Nigeria is kicked out by IBA from AFBC?
“My brother Africa is not IBA property, we’re with AFBC because it’s an African body but we can as well participate in Asian Championships, European which are more competitive. In any case how many tournaments do we have in Africa?
“We are the African Games champions and this means the top boxing nation in Africa in Games which are run under ANOCA and the Africa Union. Even Morocco are below Nigeria despite the fact that they won the Africa Championships. You know what I mean.”
Credit: AFBC Communication
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