NABA boss laments disastrous boxing outing

25.08.2008

The chairman of the Nigeria Amateur Boxing Association (NABA), Brig.-Gen. Joseph Ayeni, has described as disastrous the performance of the country's boxing team to the just-ended Beijing Olympic Games.

Brig-Gen. Ayeni said further that he was saddened by the poor performance of the Nigerian boxers, adding that it was indeed below the country's expectations.

He lamented that the country's best, Olarenwaju Durodola, met a Cuban opponent in the heavyweight class, saying, "Our best, Olarewaju Durodola in the heavyweight was indeedunfortunate to have met a Cuban who sent him packing."

According to him, the technical ability of the Nigerian boxers did not inspire confidence even though their endurance level was alright."

He attributed the team's failure to the fact that training was not matched with adequate exposure. "Training that has not been matched with exposure to boxing tournament situations does not make for improvements.

"It is sad that the team over trained without attending championships to evaluate their level. They were not able to identify areas of weakness,'' he said.