President of the Boxing Promoters Association Of Nigeria (BPAN) Omonlei Yakubu Imadu has commenced the construction of an ultra-modern boxing Gym at the Teslim Balogun stadium, Lagos. This is line with the pledge made by the Yucateco boss to build a boxing facility for the Lagos State Sports Commission.
It will be recalled that the CEO of Yucateco Boxing Promotions made the promise when he paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission Lekan Fatodu, in July 2024. Imadu was at the Stadium on Friday to inspect the ongoing project and he assured that the gymnasium will be completed before the end of November 2024.
” I am here with my team to see first hand the level of work done by the contractors, this project is very vital to me because it has to do with empowering young people through sports”.
” once this facility is complete, it will help to develop young boxers not only for Lagos state, but future world and olympics champions for Nigeria” Imadu told reporters.
The initiator of the Yucateco boxing league said he’s out to support the existing government structures and sporting institutions to develop boxing in the country.
” we can’t make headway in developing boxing without the right facilities to groom our pugilists, i am of the opinion that the government alone cannot adequately fund sports in the country hence the private sector and individuals with the ability must as well take the lead”
” I am glad that the LSSC is truly interested in this project, the DG Mr. Lekan Fatodu, have shared several insights with me since my last visit to the commission and i believe that this will be the start of further collaboration in growing boxing in the state”.
Imadu’s contributions to the growth and development of boxing in Nigeria was recently acknowledged by the president of the African Boxing Union
Houcine Houichi at the recently held ABU convention in Kampala.
