Interim president of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, (NBF), Azania Omo-Agege, has strongly criticized actions of the former president, Gen Kenneth Minimah and his technical director, Femi Ayandibu for purportedly withdrawing Nigeria from the International Boxing Association (IBA) and joining the World Boxing, an Association currently embroiled in a transgender boxing crisis.
NBF technical director, Femi Ayandibu in a photoshot with President World Boxing, Mr Boris
This follows the controversy that surrounds the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recent eligibility decisions, which have been met with resistance from IBA President Umar Kremlev. Kremlev has called on IOC President Thomas Bach to apologize for what he considers an abuse of women in the sport, specifically regarding the participation of transgender boxers Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu-ting from Chinese Taipei.
Omo-Agege’s opposition to Nigeria’s purported withdrawal from IBA stems from his commitment to the organization and its values. As a director of the African Boxing Confederation, he was elected to promote the development of boxing in Nigeria and Africa reason he does not align with any plan to withdraw Nigeria from IBA.
Gen Minimah’s action have also been met with stiff resistance from the Nigeria Boxing Referees/Judges Association, which had expressed its support for Omo-Agege and its opposition. The Association argues that the decision was arrived at without consulting its members and it goes against the best interests of Nigerian boxing. They also stressed further that the decision was taken without the general impute of members of the Nigeria boxing Congress.
The dispute highlights the complexities and challenges facing boxing governance, particularly regarding issues of inclusivity and eligibility. As the sport continues to evolve, it’s essential to address these concerns to ensure fairness and equality for all participants.
Apart from the Nigeria Boxing referees/ judges association that vehemently kicked against the action, other former Nigerian boxers have also spoken against the move.
Azania noted that allowing Nigeria to continue to belong to the new World Boxing Association whose policies allow for participation of transgender boxers run foul of the laws of Nigeria, and also amounts to a great injustice to Nigeria female boxers.
“I call on concerned boxing lovers in the country to rise up against the action. I want to also call on our dear sports loving President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the new Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko to order a probe into the action as a few persons cannot be allowed to take a decision of such magnitude,” Azania concluded.
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