Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has requested Anthony Joshua to light up the Gateway Sports Festival due for May 2025 in Ogun State, Sports247 reports.
The Governor made the request at the state house in Abeokuta where his excellency hosted the former two-time world heavyweight boxing champion as he visited Nigeria for the new year celebrations.
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Governor Dapo Abiodun openly said to Anthony, “I want to openly request that, besides the fact that today we are going to officially confirm you as our sports ambassador, we want to request that you come back to light up the Gateway Sports Festival torch; you will be the one lighting it up,”.
The Governor used the occasion to announce the state plans for sports development in the coming year.
Abiodun said his administration will construct a brand new Boxing hall in the state which will be named after Anthony Joshua.
“We are going to construct a brand new Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring, and that boxing ring will be in a stadium here in Abeokuta to ensure that you come home more frequently” he said.
He then conferred on Joshua, Ogun State Sports Ambassador honor and promised to give Anthony Joshua a brand new home in Shagamu, AJ’s country home in Ogun State.
“Besides the fact that you are now our official sports ambassador, we have decided that we will give you a brand new house in Sagamu.”
The Governor spoke further on the essence of having someone like Anthony Joshua to identify with Sports in the state.
“Your coming back home will be a source of motivation and inspiration for many young men who are aspiring sportsmen, and we have quite a lot of them in Ogun State.
“I want to congratulate you on what you have achieved in such a short span of time. You’ve made a short story of your life and your career,” the governor said.
In his remarks, Anthony Joshua said he would give his best in supporting and promoting sports in Ogun State and Nigeria at large.
Ogun State will host the 2024 National Sports Festival. The multi sport event was initially fixed for January 2025 but it has now been rescheduled to later date in 2025
