WITH less than a month to the kick off of the 2010 Common Wealth Games taking place in India on October 3, 2010, Nigeria boxers are still awaiting orders from the presidency to embark on foreign tours enroute the games.
The boxers who were recently decamped from the local camp for two weeks still do not know their fate as regards those who will make the foreign camp as selection has not been made by the boxing federation.
One of the national coaches and a one-time house hold name in international boxing scene, Jeremaiah Okorodudu said in a chat with OBSERVERsports recently, revealed that the final list of those selected will be released soon by the federation before they can leave the shores of the country in no distant time.
“Bureaucracy has been the cause of the delay. The federation alongside the National Sports Commission will have to put a lot of things in shape before anything can be done,” he said.
However, the ex-pugalist apparently oblivious of the danger in the delayed foreign tours, asserted that the Federation has decided to storm the games with only junior category boxers, between Fly Weight and Welter Weight of 48 – 68 kg, saying all will be well at the end of the day.
“It is true that it is not too healthy that we are yet to embark on foreign tours because they need to acclimatize and put other logistics in place.
“But, while we are making sure we do not falter in the games the federation has decided to sponsor only the best that can fetch the country some medals.
“Hence only junior category will be going which is fly weight and welter weight (48-68kg). This is where we have our strength for now, no more old brigade because we don’t trust them,”
|
