Budding boxers compete in Lagos

Lagos State, the hub of Nigeria’s commerce and industry, has held its third amateur boxing championship on a day most fitting: the Boxing Day. The event, the brain-child of the state’s former finance commissioner, Olawale Edun and the Lagos State Amateur Boxing Association, held at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, and was witnessed by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola. It attracted upcoming and ambitious boxers from all parts of the state.
In one of the fixtures, Shina Adeniji of D& DBC Club defeated Babatunde Shokunbi of Margan BC Club in the exhibition match while in the 56 kilogrammes category, Kazeem Oliwo of Star Club defeated Sikiru Fatai of Police Club.
Other bouts decided were in the 60 kilogrammes category, Joseph Otto of Paramount Club defeated Rilwan Oladosu of Ajetumobi Club, 81 klogrammes category in which Gabriel Francis from Champion Club defeated Azeez Olumegbon of Kamlat Club, 75Kilogrammes category, Segun Ibrahim of Warrior Club defeated Muri Shango of Eleto Club. In the 51 Kilogrammes category for female, Mutiat Adebayo of Champion Club defeated Elizabeth Osoja of Brightness Club while in the 60Kilogrammes female category, Mariam Adedun of Police Club defeated Kate Peter of Golden Weapon Club.
In the 52Kilogrammes category, Taiwo Agbaje of Young Star Club defeated Ibrahim Ali of Paramount Club while Olajide Fijabi of Star Club defeated Taiwo Oyegunwa of Faleke Club in the 64 Kilogrammes category.
Prizes were presented to the winners in the various categories by the Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Mr Adepitan Babatunde, Mr Wale Edun, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroots Sports, Prince Wale Oladunjoye and several sports personalities who witnessed the event.
The Governor’s Belt for the 2011 Edition was presented by Governor Fashola to overall winner, Taiwo Agbaje of Young Star Club. Fijabi Olajide of Star Club and Mutiat Adebayo of Champion Club emerged second and third prize winners respectively.
In his remarks, Governor Fashola said the State’s investment in amateur sports is beginning to stamp its footprints on Nigerian sports and almost from nothing and a seeming impossible task, amateur boxing has been revived.
The Governor noted that judging by the number of Clubs that sponsored boxers to the boxing Show, the whole State from Epe to Lagos Island, to Badagry, Ikorodu, Ikeja, is involved in boxing at the amateur level.
While thanking the former Commissioner for Finance and current Chairman /Co-ordinator of the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame, Mr Wale Edun for leading the initiative, Governor Fashola gave a commitment of continuous support.