Nigeria boxers have threatened to protest the country’s non-appearance at the qualifying tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Dakar, Senegal from February 20 to 29.
One of the boxers, who spoke with our correspondents on the condition of anonymity, said the Nigeria Boxing Federation told them that they would not participate in the Olympic qualifiers because there were no medal hopefuls.
“Before this situation, some people went on a jamboree to Cameroon just for exhibition, no competition and they shared the money there. These boxers travelled on the road for three days, spent just one day there and they came back and gave each of the 12 boxers that went $350. They shared the N12m among themselves, the three of them that went.”
Speaking with our correspondent, Director of Federations, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Tayo Oreweme, said the sports ministry did not release funds for the Dakar trip because the boxing federation could not justify their participation at the qualifiers. “Based on what they sent to me as the Secretary of the Tokyo 2020 Committee, I had already forwarded their request to the ministry. So, when the minister saw the request for money on Friday, he stated that if they had one boxer on the road to Tokyo, why were they requesting for funds for the African qualifiers.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Yobe CAN stages protest over Leah SharibuThe Christian community also sent a message of hope to Leah and all those in captivity including Muslims.
Read more »
Nigerians React As Anthony Joshua Enrolls For National Identification NumberNigerian-born British boxer Anthony Joshua has been enrolled for his National Identification Number (NIN) at the National Identity Management Commission yesterday (NIMC). AnthonyJoshua NIMC Nigeria
Read more »
Sponsors begin ‘Better together’ campaign as UEFA Champions LeagueTo make the matches more exciting for Nigerians, sponsors of the competition, Heineken launched its “Better Together” campaign yesterday Heineken BetterTogether Football Soccer
Read more »
Togo protest hotbed in lock down as vote approachesWhen Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe took to the stage for an election rally in the city of Sokode this month, the crowd chanted the campaign's popular catchphrase: 'Knockout blow!'
Read more »
Protest as suspected herdsmen kill two farmers in Edo - Premium Times NigeriaThe gunmen were said to have attacked the farmers in their farms and opened fire on them.
Read more »