Sports
Battle Of The Ages Boxing Championship Ends In Lagos
Boxing fans in Lagos and neighbouring states were at the weekend treated to the best of amateur and professional boxing as the Season 6 of De Lads Boxing championship tagged ‘ Battle of the Ages’ came to a successful end at the Indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere Lagos.
The eight bout professional fight sanctioned by the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control was preceded by some interesting amateur fights and attracted hundreds of boxing fans who were routing for more action as the fights lasted.
Speaking to our correspondent, promoter of the fights and Chief Executive Officer of De Lads Boxing Promotions Alhaji Waheed Wasiu Alabi explained that he’s happy that De Lads has raised the bar in Nigerian boxing noting that his target is to see
Nigerian pugilists becoming world champions in the nearest future.
“I’m happy that since we started the Season 1 of this promotion, it has been success galore, with many boxers now wanting to fight on our card.
” Like I have always said, my target is to see these boxers earning improved purse and also ensure they’re ranked by the various world boxing bodies which will enable them have a crack at the world title”, he said.
Alhaji Alabi was full of appreciation to Startimes for partnering with him to move professional boxing forward in the country even as he appealed to other corporate organisations to emulate them and give the youths sense of belonging in the society.
” Kudos must go to Startimes for believing in my vision. As you can see, all our fights were transmitted life by the company and I want to say that their involvement in boxing really added value to what we’re doing and I want other corporate bodies to emulate them and invest in sports”, he stressed.
Also speaking Secretary General of NBB of C, Remi Aboderin said that Alhaji Alabi deserves all the praises for the successful organisation of the event with an assurance that the sanctioning body will always create a conducive environment for promoters to invest in the game.
Meanwhile on the fights for the night, Toheeb Hassan recorded a unanimous points decision victory over Adeshina Oluwatosin in their 4 rounds National Super Bantamweight National Challenge Contest while Azeez Lateef recorded a 4 round technical knockout over Waidi ‘ Skoro’
Usman in their National Featherweight Challenge fight just as Segun Adeyemi recorded a 1st round technical knockout over Hammed Ganiyu in the National Light welterweight fight.
Also, Taye Fajinmi fighting in another Light welterweight challenge contest, beat Imole Oloyede by unanimous points decision while Emmanuel Abimbola recorded a 6th round technical knockout over Batholomew Abuchi Uche in their 8 rounds National Lightweight challenge contest.
The youngest boxer of the night, Raheem Animashaun extended his records to two wins from two fights when he recorded a unanimous points decision victory over Akintunde Abolade in their National Light welterweight challenge contest.
The night also saw Soldier boy, Tiamiyu Hassan recording a majority decision against Adewale Oladeji in their National Middleweight challenge fight while Abubakar Babatunde maintained his undefeated record by knocking out Idowu Okusote in the third round of their eight rounds National Light heavyweight challenge contest.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) is deeply saddened by the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champion, Peter Rufai, fondly known as Dodo Mayana, who pass on at the age of 61.
Rufai was not just a national treasure but a global ambassador of Nigerian football. His fearless goalkeeping, unmatched charisma, and commitment to the green and white made him a symbol of pride and resilience for millions of Nigerians.
Reacting to the news of his passing, chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, expressed deep sorrow:
“This is a deeply painful loss. Peter Rufai was not just a national hero, he was a rare soul whose humility, strength, and passion inspired all of us. His legacy lives on between the sticks and far beyond. Dodo Mayana gave us memories we will cherish forever. Nigeria mourns, but heaven welcomes a legend.”
Director General of the NSC, Honourable Bukola Olopade, also paid tribute:
“Peter Rufai was a symbol of excellence and leadership in Nigerian sports. His commitment to the game, both on and off the field, was second to none. As we mourn this painful loss, we also celebrate a life that gave so much to Nigerian football. Rest well, legend—you will remain forever in our hearts.”
A stalwart of the golden era of Nigerian football, Rufai played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s 1994 AFCON triumph and represented the nation at two FIFA World Cup tournaments in 1994 and 1998, helping the Super Eagles reach the Round of 16 in both editions.
At the club level, he had an illustrious career across Europe, representing top teams in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain—most notably Deportivo de La Coruña and Hércules CF.
Beyond his heroics on the pitch, Peter Rufai was a mentor and a beacon of inspiration to younger generations. After retirement, he dedicated his life to discovering and nurturing budding football talents, remaining a pillar of support and guidance in the football community.
The NSC extends heartfelt condolences to the Rufai family, the Nigerian football fraternity, and all those whose lives were touched by the great Dodo Mayana.
The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation has successfully hosted WT Level 2 (Higest Taekwondo Coaching Cadre Course) with about 40 taekwondo coaches drawn from different states and institutions across Nigeria.
The World Taekwondo designated Tarik Benradi from Morocco as the Course Resource person. Tarik Benradi doubles as the Chairman African Taekwondo Union Referees Department.
The course was declared open by the Chairman National Sports Commission Shehu Dikko. He was accompanied by senior officers of the NSC like the Director FEAD and many aides.
President Nigeria Taekwondo federation, Tayo Popoola was grateful for the rich support of the National Sports Commission.
The course covered core Taekwondo Coaching areas like Team Management, Athletes Psychology, Drug Education, Coaches Technical Knowledge of taekwondo contest rules etc. Physical, theoretical and visual means were employed to pass down instructions during the course.
All participants took an examination at the end of the course.
The Closing Ceremony was witnessed by the President NOC Engnr Habu Gumel.
Gumel promised to support the NTF if the next of such course could be hosted by Nigeria.
Nigeria will be hosting 2 World Taekwondo tournaments in August and September this year. Which are signs that Nigeria is gradually coming back to the taekwondo world map
The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has congratulated the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, on his election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council.
In a statement signed by NVBF President, Engineer Musa Nimrod, the Federation expressed confidence that CGC Adeniyi will bring innovation and transformation to the WCO.
Nimrod noted that Adeniyi has significantly improved the fortunes of Nigeria Customs in a short time, adding that the global community will soon feel his positive impact.
He also highlighted Adeniyi’s strong support for sports, particularly volleyball, through consistent sponsorships.
“The entire board of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation congratulates you on your election as Chairperson of the WCO Council,” the statement read.
“In just two years as CGC, you have not only boosted revenue collection and surpassed budgetary targets, but have also made substantial investments in volleyball.
“Under your leadership, the Nigeria Customs Service sponsored the 2024 Volleyball League and hosted the 2025 African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship, widely acclaimed as the best edition to date.
“We are confident you will exceed expectations at the WCO Council.”
CGC Adeniyi will officially assume leadership of the WCO Council on July 1, 2025, succeeding Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service.
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