The Akwa Ibom Government has unveiled an Olympic-size boxing ring as part of efforts to boost sporting activities in the state.
It stated that the facility will help to develop boxing and produce professional fighters from the state.
Unveiled at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the equipment is expected to serve as a training hub for amateur and aspiring professional boxers across the state, .
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Elder Paul Bassey said the state was committed to reviving combat sports and creating pathways for young talents to compete nationally and internationally.
He said “Our goal is to produce world-class professional boxers who will fly the Akwa Ibom and Nigerian flags at global tournaments, including the Olympics and professional circuits.
”I remember when we said there are some equipment that did not arrive because we ordered them but were not available in the country. So this is one of them,”.
He noted that the 20-year-old boxing ring owned by the state was not good to put to use and that it had affected the development of talents, adding that despite the challenge the state was still excelling in the competition.
”Immediately after the first Nigeria Delta Sport Festival in Uyo where we come out sixth, we were criticized for that position, I did not want to give excuses but I knew that under such circumstances we had done well.
”If we had such an equipment as this, we would have trained well but I am happy that we came fourth during the second sport festival and I believe that we will perform well in the upcoming sport festival,” Bassey noted.
Also speaking , the Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalist, Comrade Nsibiet John commended the state government for their efforts in sports development.
He expressed optimism that the facility would end the era of boxers training without standard equipment.
“With this Olympic-size ring, our boxers can now train under proper conditions. We expect to see Akwa Ibom fighters in national championships and professional bouts soon,” he said.
