Anyanwu Expects New Era For Boxing

By Eddie Akalonu Former national boxing coach, Pa George Anyawu has expressed optimism that the completion of abandoned boxing facilities at the national stadium, Lagos by the General Ken Minima led Nigerian Amateur Boxing Federation, would usher in a new era for the sports. Speaking in an interview, Pa Anyanwu, a one time coach of the Nigerian Army boxing team thanked General Minima for completing the hostel in the complex and hoped that the Ayonote Gym would witness fresh upgrade with state of the art equipments “I am so happy that abandoned facilities at the Boxing Village began by late Brai Ayonote, have been completed. Boxers now have a home to train in and this is a new beginning for boxing, he stated, adding, it is of note that the complex, which was started by a Military officer and abandoned has been completed by another Military officer. So I would like to commend General Minima for this effort. It is my belief that boxing will boom again as we had under Col. White Ukor and Brai Ayonote. Work on the facility especially the abandoned hostel, began early this year undertaken by men of Nigeria Army engineers from the Abati Barracks in Surulere, Lagos. Anyanwu believes that having a place of the own to train, rest or camp for competitions, would improve the technique of boxers, which can dove-tail into better performances international competitions The boxing complex is also where one of the country’s boxing great Hogan Bassey is buried. Meanwhile Pa Anyanwu has also hailed Nigeria’s boxing team to the just concluded 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland for picking three bronze medals, noting that “the feat was done purely on the athlete’s own determination to win laurels for the country. I did no hear of any program of serious preparation, competition and camping for them before the games. I was told they were camped for just three weeks before the Games. That means if they are giving better incentives and put through a planned programmed of training, they would have achieve more for us there. And I am appealing to both the Nigeria Amateur Boxing Federation and National Sports Commission to de-emphasize current policy of only competitions for athletes especially boxers but inject training and development,” he added. The trio of Efetobo Akpeshi, super-heavyweight- men, heavyweight Ajagba and Edith Ogoke in women middleweight all won bronze medals in the Games.