As Nigerians continues to stand in solidarity with the works of Hon. Omonlei Yakubu Imadu, it’s time to assiduously look at the transformative impact of this progressive personality in Nigerian boxing.
With the aim to empower the youths through sports and curb delinquencies in communities across the country. Imadu, saw boxing as a medium for the young people to positively channel their energy for a better life. To see this to attainment, he initiated a nationwide grassroots boxing program tagged “Boxing ln Your Neighborhood”. The highly successful event held in communities across Nigeria for over three years became a breeding ground for boxing talents.
Building on the gains of his maiden project, in 2022 Imadu opted to unify the entire structure by initiating the first ever Boxing League in Africa know as the “Yucateco Boxing League”. The widely followed League now in its second season features over 70 boxers representing 12 boxing clubs across all the weight categories.
To further expose these pugilists beyond borderlines, Yucateco Boxing Promotions under Yakubu’s leadership initiated the Yucateco Pan-African Boxing Championship. The maiden event was held in Togo in June 2024 with the outfit sponsoring a 52 man contingent from Nigeria which consist of boxers, coaches, referees, and Ring officials to be part of the championship which also featured pugilists from Benin Republic, Liberia, Senegal, Cameroon as well as the host country.
Nigeria was the point of call for the second edition of the Pan-African Championship. This time the venue was in Uzebba Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State. At the end of hostilities, Nigeria’s Precious Anine and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab defeated Egypt’s Hagar Elsayed and Mostafa Hafez, to emerged champions in the male and female category.
Another groundbreaking event initiated by Imadu was the recently held WBC-ABU Amateur Tournament in Lagos. The event which is the first of its kind in Africa featured pugilists from Uganda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Tanzania, Togo, and host Nigeria. The Yucateco WBC-ABU Amateur Tournament staged at the Molade Okoya-Thomas sports hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium from 6th-8th February 2025, also had in attendance the President of the African Boxing Union (ABU) Houcine Houichi, the body’s General Secretary Maureen Mulangira, and other top boxing officials from across the world.
Aside pioneering both local and international tournaments for Nigerian boxers. Omonlei Imadu, had also made significant impact in providing boxing infrastructures across the country. Through his outfit Yucateco Boxing Promotions, the renowned businessman and philanthropist has distributed boxing Rings and other training equipments to several State and communities in the country. The most recent was the construction of an ultra-modern boxing Gym for the Lagos State Sports Commission by the same outfit.
Since Imadu’s emergence, a more progressive trajectory has been set for Nigerian boxing with a hive of activities. However, this hasn’t gone down well with those in charge of the existing comatose structure. They believe Omonlei’s strides and Innovative instincts will further expose their ineptitude.
As the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Hon. Shehu Dikko as Chairman and Hon. Bukola Olopade as the Director General move to reposition Nigerian sports, it’s important that personalities like Hon. Omonlei Yakubu Imadu, are duly encouraged to lead the desired reforms in their respective sports.