A new chapter was Friday, April, 19, 2024 written in the annals of Nigerian boxing when YUCATECO Boxing League in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports Development rolled out the drums to celebrate boxing legends in the country.
The maiden YUCATECO Boxing award ceremony tagged ‘ Celebrating our Boxing Heroes’ held at the prestigious JEVINIK Hotel, Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, attracted top government officials, both serving and retired boxers, coaches, sports administrators, boxing enthusiasts, media gurus and family members and friends of the awardees.
Speaking at the occasion, the Special Guest of Honour/ Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh commended the initiator of the award and Chief Executive Officer of YUCATECO Boxing League, Omonlei Yakubu Imadu for his foresight in not only taking grassroots boxing to the next level but instituting an award that recognizes the sacrifices boxers made for the country.
According to the Minister, what sportsmen and women needed most is recognizing and appreciating their efforts for winning laurels for the country at international competitions even as he announced that the Ministry under his charge will soon come up with an annual Award/ Recognition ceremony for all the sports.
” I must have to commend Imadu for his efforts at changing the narratives of boxing in the country through the YUCATECO Boxing League.
“The league from my investigation and interactions with him, was a huge success and I must give kudos to him of adding another feather to his cap through this wonderful idea of recognizing boxing legends which is unprecedented in the history of the pugilist game in the country.
” His efforts must be encouraged by all because what our sports men and women need most is sense of recognition and appreciation and my Ministry will definitely come up with an annual award like the one we’re witnessing today for all sportsmen and women.
The Minister also announced that his major concern since he came on board is the welfare of retired and active athletes; saying that it won’t be out of place to place them on monthly salary as is obtainable in developed countries of the world.
” The Sports Ministry is no sector without athletes and that’s why their welfare is of great concern to me. I didn’t think there’s anything wrong placing both retired and active athletes on monthly salary and we’re definitely working towards that”, he stressed
Chairman of the award ceremony and Majority Leader of the 10th House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere was full of praise for YUCATECO CEO for using his money, energy and dedication to organise the first boxing league in the country where many young boxers were given opportunity to showcase their talent; and then followed it up with an award ceremony, positing that he needs the encouragement and support of all Nigerians.
Prof. Ihonvbere regretted that there are a lot of people with questionable character in the country who are being recognized and even bestowed with national award while those that toiled to put the name of Nigeria on the world sports map are forgotten.
” Imadu must be commended and appreciated for his love for Nigerian sports and believe in developing talented young Nigerians and as such, he needs the encouragement of all.
” Experience had shown that in this country, we like to celebrate victory but we don’t want to invest in sports or encourage our sportsmen and women and that’s why we must appreciate this wonderful initiative by YUCATECO of recognizing our boxing legends.
In his opening remarks, CEO of YUCATECO Boxing League Omonlei Yakubu Imadu explained that he decided to institute the award to serve as a platform where coaches, umpires and boxers are recognized which is in line with the Sports Ministry’s agenda on athletes recognition and appreciation.
” This award is aimed at recognizing and celebrating our boxing legends and heroes. And they include boxers, referees, judges and others who have contributed to the growth of boxing in Nigeria over the years.
Giving insight in the maiden YUCATECO Boxing League, he explained that it ran for 13 weeks with over 200 boxers from 8 clubs participating adding that for season 2, the number has been increased to 24 clubs to give opportunity for more boxers to be part of the league.
Expressing his appreciation and gratitude to those that attended the event, he announced that construction of an ultra modern boxing gym is currently going on in Ikorodu and would soon be commissioned.
This year’s awardees includes; the President Nigeria Boxing Federation Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah (Rtd), late Hogan Bassy, the first Nigerian to win a world title, former national middleweight champion Isaac Ikhouria, Commonwealth Games gold medalists Sabo Mohammed and current Nigeria National boxing coach Anthony Konyegwachie.
Others are 2011 All African Games bronze medalist Lawal Lukmon Olaiwola, Muyili Ojo, Nigerian boxing Umpire with the most appearances at international games, women boxing Pioneer Edith Agu Ogoke, former National boxing coach Joseph Mensah, Ogun state boxing pioneer Ajani Aremu, boxing umpire Abdullahi Masha, coach Samson Aransiola, and one of Nigeria’s most decorated boxing umpire Adesanya Olusegun Ayodele.
Highlight of the award nite was presentation of a brand new car to the Most Valuable Boxer of Season 1 of YUCATECO Boxing League, Abdulramon Abdulwahab.
