Boxing coach calls for inter- state competitions

Udeh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Friday that over the years, boxers had been training on their own without competing with their contemporaries. According to him, boxers should be engaged in training tours while representatives of the National Sports Commission (NSC) should be sent to supervise them along with their […]

Udeh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Friday that over the years, boxers had been training on their own without competing with their contemporaries.

According to him, boxers should be engaged in training tours while representatives of the National Sports Commission (NSC) should be sent to supervise them along with their coaches.

He blamed the poor performance of boxers at the 2011 All African Games in Maputo to improper selection of boxers to represent the country.

“Well, I say they did not do well really, but I believe they are just waking up because at the last Commonwealth Games, they didn’t get even one bronze.

“The problem is that at the national level, they did not make a better selection. They did not give others the opportunity to try themselves; they just hand-picked athletes for the Games.

“Secondly, no adequate training materials; come to national (Nigerian Boxing Federation) now, there is no speed ball, no better punching bags, no padding. Then we have to go for training tours, but no training tours.

“You have to ginger the athletes, that is the way, not only monetary aspect, but going for training tour, you ginger the athletes, you make their morale high for the main competition.”

The coach suggested that there was the need to go back to the grassroots to scout for younger athletes because sports like boxing had to do with age.

Udeh advised boxers to be dedicated and engage themselves in training to excel.

He called on state governments and philanthropists to sponsor and organise state competitions for athletes to ensure better outing. (NAN)