The Ministry of Sports in collaboration with Yucateco Boxing Promotions will hold the first boxing award event, Boxing Lifetime Achievements Merit Awards Ceremony, at Jivinik Hall in Ikeja GRA on Friday, 19 April in Lagos.
The event is in line with Sports Minister John Enoh’s agenda on athletes’ recognition and appreciation and is organised by the hosts of the first-ever Nigerian boxing league.
According to the CEO of Yucateco Boxing Promotions, Omonlei Imadu, the award is designed to celebrate and recognise Nigeria’s boxing heroes. These include boxers, referees, judges and others who have contributed to the growth of boxing in Nigeria over the years.
“In line with the sports minister’s vision on athletes recognition, we have decided to take the lead in boxing by honouring 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”, Omonlei said.
The awardees for this year’s event include 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 are 2011 African Games bronze medalist Lawal Olaiwola, Muyili Ojo, the Nigerian boxing umpire with the most appearances at international games, 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.
