By Ijeoma Agbafo
The maiden South-East Amateur Boxing Championship has commenced in Umuahia, with stakeholders describing it as a major step towards reviving boxing and discovering new talents in the region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Nwaobilor Ananaba, said the four-day championship would provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their abilities and develop their careers.
Ananaba said the competition reflected the Abia Government’s commitment to grassroots sports development, talent discovery and athlete empowerment, adding that sports remained a vital tool for youth engagement and social inclusion.
Also speaking, the South-East Representative on the Board of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Mr Nnamdi Oji, said the championship would help restore boxing’s lost glory in the region and produce athletes capable of competing at national and international levels.
He expressed concern over the declining fortunes of boxing in the South-East, noting that no athlete from the zone featured at the last National Boxing Trials in Lagos.
The opening day featured competitive bouts, with Israel Ogbodo of Enugu defeating Ayu John of Imo, while Abia’s Chidiebere Chukwuemeka overcame Chigbuo Aguji of Ebonyi to give their states early victories in the championship.
