The Oyo State Chapter of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC) under the leadership of Hon Gbenga Opaleye has revealed his plan to commence a boxing league in the Pace-setter State as a way to engage
the boxers and boxing clubs numbering almost one thousand.
The boxing tournament that is underway is named after the Executive Governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi in appreciation of his great contributions to the development of sports in the state
According to Opaleye who described the governor as unacknowledged hero of modern sports development in Oyo state.
Ajimobi Boxing League was designed to cover the 33 local government areas and all local council
development areas (LCDA) in the state “where boxers would vie for Ajumose Belt that comes with mouthwatering incentives all geared towards encouraging the boxers and positively engaging them”, said the local organizing committee for the tourney.
“We want to return all the past glories that Oyo State was noted for in the world of boxing. Just recently, one of our boxers, Rilwan Oyekola (Red Scorpion) emerged as second best boxer of the night during the 12th GOTV Boxing Night recording the fastest knockout of 17
seconds, winning a million naira.
“Most people often misjudged our Governor when it comes to sports using 3SC’s demotion as yardstick but forgetting that Ajimobi has placed the club on a regular monthly subvention, it’s left to the management of the club. Its was the same governor that rewarded all
athletes that won medals for the state with record 1 million naira for Gold, 500 thousand naira for Silver and 300 thousand naira for bronze.
“This administration also increased the salaries of the contract athletes from paltry 16 thousand naira to 40 thousand naira and also employed more athletes that had made the state proud. These are what prompted us to name this boxing tourney after him and it would be
sustained even after he leaves office as governor”, Opaleye who doubles as the caretaker chairman of
Ibadan South/West local government noted.
