Otti’s Govt Deliberate with Sports Development, Ananaba says as Boxing Championship Takes Centre Stage in Aba

The administration of Governor Alex Otti is deliberate in its efforts to develop sports and sporting activities as identifying and nurturing young talents in Abia State.

The State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir. Nwaobilor Ananaba stated this at Aba Sports Club during the Rising Lion in Elephant Shadow Boxing Championship tagged ‘Enyimba 2025.’

The boxing event comprising Feather and Light Weight Championships saw Zoe Chibuike Okoronkwo defend his Featherweight title by defeating his challenger, Nwambeke Ndubuisi by Technical knockout.

Israel Obinna Ogbodo also beat his challenger, Udeh Chibuike, while Chinaza Ikechukwu Okoronkwo also defended his Light Weight title by winning Ede Emmanuel Peter by unanimous decision.

Speaking at the end of the fights, Ananaba said the event aligns perfectly well with the governor’s sports development policy aimed discovering young talents.

He thanked the organisers for doing a great job while appreciating the Aba Sports Club 1926 for providing space for the event.

“We are organising events like this to ensure we identify talents, have a structure to nurture them, and make them the best athletes they can be.

“I’m grateful his Excellency for giving us all the support. He just procured this boxing ring to encourage to continue to devour talents. Today shows that his Excellency is supporting us in every way whether in sports or youth development.”

He charged the youths to emulate the likes of late Obisie Nwankpa who brought honor Abia State and Nigeria through his exploits in boxing.

In his remarks, the president general of Nigerian Supporters Club, Dr Rafiu Oladipo thanked Governor Alex Otti for his efforts in sports development.

He called on Government at all levels to give full support boxing to enjoy the same respect they give to other sports especially football.

Dr. Oladipo who recalled that boxing was first sports that put Nigeria’s name on the world’s sporting paid tributes to ex-Nigerian boxers who gave the country a positive image.

“So if sports is the only thing that propagates our image positively outside, then it means we do need to give it all the support that it deserves.”

He urged youths to take their sports career seriously leveraging Championships like this to develop their potential, declaring that “Sports today is about the biggest business for any individual, be it footballing and boxing.”

Speaking in an interview Comrade Obioma George, the Abia State Director of Sports described the event as the first Professional Boxing Championship to be staged in Abia State.

Comrade George noted that the event coincided with two Abia young boxers who defended their titles, thanked God that they retained their Southeast title.

He acknowledged the donation of some boxing equipment to the state by the two young boxers, noting that with the donation, Abia state will go places through boxing.

The highlight of the event was the handover of the boxing ring procured on behalf of the state government by an ex-boxer of Abia origin, Mr. Ikechukwu Okoronkwo who thanked Governor Alex Otti for approving the proposal for the equipment and the Championship with hesitation.