NAN-S-8
Boxing
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, July 10, 2017 (NAN) Obisia Nwankpa, a former Commonwealth Welterweight boxing champion, has urged the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) to take steps that would adequately prepare amateur boxers for international boxing championships.
Nwankpa said that pre-tournaments boxing competitions were one of such platforms that could be used to prepare boxers for major meets.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that by so doing it would help to toughen tournament-bound athletes’ for the main event.
“There must be adequate follow-up for athletes that have qualified to represent the country in international championships because they need all the support to deliver.
“Pre-tournament as the name implies is needed to really expose athletes, ascertain their fitness level in requirement to rules applications and general fitness ahead of the main contests.
“Such exposure will go a long way to build their psyche, putting them in competition mood, as well as increase their chances of putting up good performance when they are competing,’’ he said.
He added that the federation should endeavour to make necessary arrangements by getting sponsors to enable the athletes participate in such programmes.
Nwankpa, who was a former national boxing coach, told NAN that Nigeria’s dismal performance at the recently concluded African Boxing Championships in Rwanda was due to inadequate exposure.
He noted that if his suggestion could be implemented in subsequent competitions, the country could improve on its previous performances.
NAN reports that the championships held from June 17 to June 25 in Kigali, Rwanda.
In spite of the situation, Nwankpa advised the boxers to continue with their training schedules and not be discouraged.
“They must aspire to better their form in any competition they participate in and competitions that will hold before the end of the year are other opportunities for them,’’ he added. (NAN)
MIL/ERO/PDE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)