President of Nigeria Amateur Boxing Federation (NBF) and Chairman, Ijebu Ode Sub-Seat of Nigeria 2009 Under 17 FIFA World Cup, Rotimi George Taylor, spoke about his plans to develop amateur boxing in Nigeria with ADEBOBOLA ALWODE
Q: You have really settled down in the Nigeria Boxing Federation?
A: As you can see we have started work. Let me say that we have got down to work. We are just giving the secretariat a face-lift because this place has been in a state of disrepair for quite a long time, so we have started renovation work to ensure that we have a befitting place we can call our own. We are working round the clock to ensure that this secretariat is up to standard.
Q: Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) has been ejected from the Brai Ayonote Boxing Gymnasium, what prompted this decision?
A: We are not witch-hunting anybody by telling the NBB of C to leave. The reason is that we want the body to get its own place. As a matter of fact, the gym is meant for boxing and not to be used as an office. We are the owner of the place and we intend to use it for developmental purpose.
Q: What do you mean by developmental purpose?
A: There are plans to upgrade the gym to international standard. We want the gym to be like what is obtainable in other countries, where boxing is popular. We intend to use the place for series of amateur boxing competitions that we want to stage to discover budding talents and develop them to become world beaters. By the time the gym is completed, we know we don’t have to go out and hire venues for our boxing shows. Our dream is also to upgrade the gymnasium so we can use it as a camp venue for our boxers whenever we are preparing them for competitions, be it in the African continent or outside Africa.
Q: You will need a huge amount of money to accomplish this laudable project, so how do you intend to raise the money?
A: NBF is under the National Sports Commission (NSC). We are working together to ensure that we accomplish this task. I’m an administrator to the core. We also intend to partner the private sector to help actualise our dream. We would explore every possible means to make sure we achieve our goal.
Q: There is a lull in the Nigeria amateur boxing scene, from what you have said, is it not a Herculean task you have ahead of you?
A: There is no mountain that is insurmountable. There is nothing that cannot be accomplished. To say there is lull in amateur boxing is a lie. It may be your opinion, but I don’t want to agree with you. Sports generally have their ups and downs; there are times that a particular sport will experience recess, that does not mean that the sport cannot be revived. We are on a revival mission and I know that by the time we are through, people will marvel at what we have done.
Q: How do you intend to bring back the glorious days of amateur boxing in the country?
A: We have series of plans in the offing for amateur boxing in the country. I want to assure our boxers that they are in for a swell time. I want to promise them that there will be no dull moment in the amateur scene again. The lull in the amateur cadre is now a thing of the past because we are working assiduously to change things. We will try our best to keep the boxers busy because this is the only way we can get young and promising boxers who can win laurels for the country in international competitions.
Q: What about the Eagle Belt?
A: The Eagle Belt tourney that has gone moribund will be revived. The championship used to be where boxers were selected to represent the country in international competitions, but it has not been staged for a long time. We intend to revive the competition.
Q: What steps are you taking towards reviving it?
A: We are pursuing how either Lagos or Ogun State government can help us make it work again. We need the support of the state governments, corporate organisations and private individuals for us to revive the Eagle Belt competition, and I believe with their helps and assistance, the tourney will be back and better.
Q: What about the factional crisis rocking Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, (NBB of C)?
A: I have met one of the parties. The Isaiah Ezeogu led board paid a courtesy visit on us and we have told the other faction, the Dr. G. C. Kanu-led board that it should bring its papers before we can deliberate on the next step to take to resolve the crisis.
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