As part of activities to mark the inaugural National Boxing Week, the Nigeria Boxing Federation has paid homage to the legacy of Nigerian boxing legend Okon Asuquo Bassey, known as Hogan Bassey.
In a colorful ceremony at his gravesite at the National Stadium Surulere, the vice resident of the Nigeria Boxing Federation Hon. Omonlei Imadu and other board members led a procession of boxers, coaches, officials, and boxing fans to celebrate the former world boxing champion.
They laid flowers on the gravesite of the British Nigerian pugilist whose strides and contributions brought global recognition to the country and continue to inspire the present generation of pugilists.
Notable personalities at the procession include Major General Ola Oyelade, the military representative on the board of the NBF, the General Secretary Vivian Azimene, amongst others.
The boxing week got on the way on Monday with a well attended coaches and officials seminar, and participants were several topics and duties around the squared ropes sports. Meanwhile, bouts started today across the various weight categories as the boxers fight for a place at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.
The National Open Trials will provide an equal platform for both home-based and foreign-based boxers to compete for the right to fly the country’s flag in Glasgow Scotland.
Vice President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Omonlei Imadu, described the opening day of the event as an overall success from the seminar, procession for Hogan Bassey, as well as the commencement of the bouts.
“We have started well despite a few setbacks, the boxing family is strongly together to ensure the entire events is successful, we are now focus on the bouts and i can assure you Nigerians that only the best boxers would be selected to represent the country at the Games in Glasgow”.
The National Boxing Week will run until Friday the 6th of March at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Gym, National Stadium Surulere. The event will serve as a defining chapter in the resurgence of Nigerian boxing, blending history, reform, competition, and national pride into a landmark event.
