Abia Dominates South-East Amateur Boxing Tournament to Emerge Champions 

The maiden edition of the South-East Amateur Boxing Tournament came to a thrilling conclusion in Umuahia, with Abia State emerging overall champions, winning eight gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.

Enugu State finished second with four gold and four silver medals, while Imo State placed third with one gold, one silver, and five bronze medals.

  Anambra State came fourth with one gold and two bronze medals, while Ebonyi State finished fifth with two silver and three bronze medals.

Speaking while handling over medals and trophies to the athletes, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development Nwaobilor Ananaba represented by the Permanent Secretary Jane Igwe congratulated all participating states and athletes for the high level of discipline and sportsmanship displayed throughout the competition

Ananaba reaffirmed the commitment of the Abia State Government under the leadership of Dr Alex Chioma Otti to sustaining grassroots sports development and creating platforms for young talents to excel.

In her closing address, Mrs Igwe described the championship as a celebration of resilience, discipline, and the future of Nigerian boxing.

“We didn’t just witness boxing matches; we witnessed the future of Nigerian boxing unfolding before our very eyes,” she said.

She added that the tournament was “never just about medals or trophies, but about grassroots development and giving our youths a platform to punch their way to global stardom,” expressing confidence that many of the athletes would become future Commonwealth, Olympic, and world champions.

Also speaking, the State Director of Sports Comrade Obioma George said the championship produced great talents of future boxers, noting that talents discovered from the event would be nurtured and trained until they develop into world boxers.

George revealed that Abia State would be organising a monthly bout for all selected from the championship to continue their development.

“We are going to have a monthly badge in this Abia. We will pick them from their defense date for monthly badge.

The sponsor is already by the corner. So that monthly badge is part of training them.”

He used the opportunity to advise them to take their regular training seriously urging them to go for regular training, listen to your coach, do what you are asked to do, adding that if they put everything right, they would go places.

He also thank governor Alex Otti for unwavering commitment and passion for sports development in Abia State and appreciated the commissioner for Sports and Youth Development Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba for his dedication to duties.

In an interview, a member of the State Boxing Association Prince Paul Ngadiuba said the State would consolidate on the gains of the championship disclosing that similar events were on the offing.

“There will be more events like this to prepare more boxers, to give them more money, to let them know that there is hope here in boxing. Not just at the national level, from the state level to the national level. We’re going to extend this more.”

Some of the athletes who spoke in an interview including Chukwuemeka Chidiebere represented Abia State and Chukwudubem Daniel Ekenedilichukwu, Enugu expressed appreciation to the organisers of the event for a successful outing.

Ekenedilichukwu, who expressed disappointment that Enugu did not take the overall first position, said they would go back and prepare better for subsequent events.