The Technical Director of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Mr. Femi Ayandibu, has firmly dismissed reports that a Nigerian boxer was found begging on the streets of Thailand.
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According to Ayandibu, the team’s trip to Thailand was solely to secure additional Olympic spots, as three Nigerian boxers have already qualified for the upcoming Olympics.
“We have already qualified for the Olympics. We have three boxers who went to Thailand to see if we could secure more spots,” Ayandibu clarified.
“Every story coming out from Thailand saying that the boxer turned beggar on the street is something that one cannot understand because, as an athlete competing internationally, your flight ticket is secured before you go.
The hosts are already accommodating you, feeding you, and providing shuttle services. So where is that story coming from that they are now beggars?”
Ayandibu emphasized the achievements of the current NBF board, highlighting the progress made since the last Olympics, where Nigeria was not represented due to the absence of qualifiers.
“We need to celebrate what the present board of the Nigerian Boxing Federation is doing.
The last Olympics saw no Nigerian representation because we did not go for any qualifiers.
But as we speak, apart from Algeria, Nigeria is rated second in the entire West Africa.
Let’s celebrate what Nigeria has returned to in boxing, rather than criticizing or looking for negative news.”
The NBF’s efforts have significantly improved Nigeria’s standing in international boxing, reflecting a promising resurgence for the sport in the country.
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