NBB of C assures on continuous development of ring officials

President of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Dr. Rafiu Oladipo said that the body will continue to provide avenues that will enable it’s judges and ring officials be in tune with the latest rules of the game.
He gave the assurance at the just concluded Judges/ Referees Course which was held at the Old School Boxing Arena, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The four day Course which was sponsored by Balmoral Group, attracted more than 20 participants with a Ghanaian veteran Judge/Ring Referee, Roger Barnor as the resource person.
Speaking at the event, the NBB of C helmsman expressed happiness that the participants learnt a lot of things which when put into practice will help in the development of the country’s professional boxing.
” The course is part of our efforts to making our judges and referees be in tune with the modern rules of the game. You’re aware that last three months, a renowned Belgian Judge/ Referee was here and our officials had a good time with him.
” In this particular course, new things were learnt and those of us who thought we know it all in boxing, discovered that there are a lot of things we’re yet to know about the rules of the game.

” It’s equally important that I commend the resource person who has been a referee for many decades and officiated at various WBC, WBA, IBF and IBO fights, for a job well done and we’ll continue to organise courses regularly to update the knowledge of our ring officials.
The NBB of C President was particularly happy with the Chief Executive Officer of Balmoral Group, Dr. Ezekiel Adamu for bankrolling the course; saying that they look forward to more collaboration with him in future.
In his remarks, Secretary General of NBB of C who also doubles as the President of West African Boxing Union, Remi Aboderin, expressed delight with the outcome of the course, noting that plans are on the pipeline to have another course for the ring officials in December this year.
Aboderin while expressing his appreciation to Balmoral Group for their support which made the course possible, appealed to other corporate organisations and media houses to give maximum support to boxing to make it thrive like in other countries of the world.
” I’m really happy with the outcome of the course and the attendance. Kudos must go to Balmoral Group for making it possible for us to have a veteran as the resource person.
“I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to corporate Nigeria and media organisations both electronic, print and online medium to support boxing as is done in Europe and America”, he stressed.
The resource person, Roger Barnor, speaking on the general attendance of the course, described it as huge expressing hope that in no distant time, some of the participants will graduate to five star officials which will enable them officiate international fights anywhere in the world.
” It’s a thing of joy for me to be hosted here. Actually, I have done this type of seminar in different countries and I must thank the NBB of C President, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo and the Secretary General, Remi Aboderin for being behind my coming to Nigeria.
” The attendance was equally huge because we had more than 20 participants and it was quite positive and I see Nigerian boxing being the winner.
” During the course, we went through the rudiments of the sports ranging from scoring to how the referees handle fights and at the end of the day, we had a fight scoring exam aimed at testing the participants understanding of what they were taught.
” I believe that when they put what they’ve learnt into practice, Nigerian boxing will be the winner”, he declared.
Roger while expressing appreciation to the hospitality extended to him by the country’s boxing family announced that he’s looking forward to be back in the country in December to officiate in an international fight.