Lagos Set To Host Boxing Award Ceremony

By Felix Kuyinu

The Jivinik Hall in Ikeja, Lagos, is set to host the maiden edition of the Boxing Lifetime Achievements Merit Awards Ceremony billed for April 19.

The ceremony convened by the Ministry of Sports in partnership with Yucateco Boxing Promotions was organized with the motive of celebrating Nigerian boxing heroes, as revealed by the CEO, Yucateco Boxing Promotions, Omonlei Imadu.

Imadu revealed that the event will involve the recognition of boxers, referees, judges and others who have contributed to the growth of boxing in Nigeria over the years.

He said, “In line with the sports minister’s vision on athletes recognition, we have decided to take the lead in boxing by honoring those who have brought glory to our nation through the sport.

“This edition of the award is focused on celebrating some of those I will like to describe as legends of boxing in Nigeria. Our attention is also on the younger generation of boxers, and subsequently we hope to incorporate various categories of awards where they can be duly recognized as well”.

The awardees lined up for the inaugural event include the President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah (retd.), late Hogan Bassey, the first Nigerian to win a world title, former national middleweight champion Isaac Ikhouria, Commonwealth Games gold medalist Sabo Mohammed and current national boxing coach Anthony Konyegwachie.

Others include 2011 African Games bronze medalist, Lawal Olaiwola, the Nigerian boxing umpire with the most appearances at international games, Muyili Ojo, women boxing pioneer, Edith Ogoke, former national boxing coach, Joseph Mensah, Ogun State boxing pioneer, Ajani Aremu, boxing umpire Abdullahi Masha, coach Samson Aransiola, and one of Nigeria’s most decorated boxing umpires Adesanya Ayodele.