The Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) and the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has collaborated to introduce and integrate the game of boxing into Nigerian universities.
The agreement was reached in Abuja on Monday at a press briefing jointly addressed by NUGA President, Mr Emeka Ogbu and the vice president of the NBF, Mr Azanai Omo-Agege.
The NUGA boss described the collaboration as a much needed partnership which we allow university students both males and females to channel their energies into something positive hence building a career for themselves and become global brands. He also informed that boxing was introduced at the last NUGA Games hosted by the University of Lagos and the number of enrolment by the male and female students overwhelming.
“It is much needed partnership between NUGA and the Nigeria Boxing. Moves were made in the past for boxing to be part of NUGA Games but unfortunately it was not forthcoming until recently and thanks to the new board of the NBF especially the vice president, Mr Azanai Omo-Agege and his relentless efforts to make sure that boxing gets into the university system.
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“Our children are full of energies and are waiting for where to channel these energies. As a matter of fact, boxing has a lot of benefits to the society in general and to the campuses in particular. This initiative wouldn’t have come at a better time than now that we have challenges especially security-wise and anti-social behaviours like raping in the campuses. The introduction of boxing will equip especially our female students with the strengths and the skills to defend themselves.”
The NUGA President however added that the students will for the first time participate in the World University Games slated for Turkey in September.
Omo-Agege in his remarks said introducing boxing into the university system has clearly shown that boxing as believed in some quarters is not for the street boys or the never-do-well and that anyone can make a career out of it.
Omo-Agege called on investors to leverage on the opportunity that NUGA and NBF have provided to sponsor the game of boxing in the country.