Nigeria’s boxing legend, Isaac Ikhoria, on Monday attributed the decline in boxing in the country to a lack of the boxers’ exposure to competitions ahead of major events.
Ikhouria told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the development was responsible for the country’s failure to win medals at various tournaments.
NAN reports that Nigeria won their first boxing medal at the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games through Nojim Maiyegun, while Ikhuoria also won a bronze at the Munich ’72 Olympic Games.
Peter Konyegwachie won silver at the Los Angeles ‘ 84 Olympics, while Duncan Dokiwari won the country’s last boxing medal (bronze) at the Atlanta ‘96 Olympics.
Ikhouria said, “We have kept urging the administrators to focus on exposing the boxers to international competitions.
“Instead, they keep organising boxing bouts among the boxers. Unfortunately, the boxers won’t be boxing each other at international tournaments because they will be meeting different opponents.
“Talent is not our problem, but how to harness the talent. We need to be sincere if we genuinely want to return to our winning ways in all sports.”
Meanwhile, national boxing coach, Anthony Konyegwachi, says the national open boxing championships is aimed at identifying talents for the World Championships and Commonwealth Youth Games.
NAN reports that the championships holding at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Gymnasium, National Stadium, Lagos.
The championships, which started on Monday with the screening of boxers, classification and medical fitness of participants, end on February 25.
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