LADA ADVICES OMOBA BOXING PROMOTIONS TO FEATURE LESS OF "EXHIBITION" FIGHTS NEXT TIME

-- SAYS PROMOTER DESERVES COMMENDATION FOR TAKING CHILDREN OUT OF THE STREETS

Story by Toyo C. Ngem

The Lagos Amateure Boxing Association has advised Omoba Boxing Promotions to feature more of category fights than 'Exhibitions" in its next tournament, just as the promoters were commended for their good works in taking the children out of the streets to engage their minds in productive ventures. These were contained in the statement of the Association's Secretary, Ojikutu (Mrs.), while fielding questions with Civics Weekly magazine on the sideline of the boxing tournaments held yesterday in Alimosho, Lagos.

She observed that despite being the first outing of Omoba Boxing Promotions, the LABA was satisfied with the preparations and conduct of the tournament, hopeful that it would be sustain with more zeal in their next outing.

Dignitaries present to grace the tournament included the Executive Chairman of Egbe-Idimu LCDA, Hon (Prince) Idris Balogun (aka Oluomo Kaafata); the Olukere of Ikere Ekiti, HRM Oba Obasoyin Ayodele; Executive Vice Chairman of Egbe-Idimu, Hon (Rotarian) Tayo Ayinde; The Chief Medical Director of OOH BEE Hospital in Egbe; and a host of others.

In the interactions with this magazine, Ojikutu said: "This is the first outing of this Promotion body. I am here to supervise the tournament and to see that it is done according to how it should be done. But let's go on and see how far we it will best fit".

Asked to rate the tournament from the preparations she had witnessed so far? She said: "In all sincerity, they are doing well so far. I say this because they have done all they are supposed to do and still doing what ought to be done now as they move on. For example, the basic needful like weighing and medicals, which they are supposed to do under the technical guide of professional medics, have been done. Official referees have also checked the weight so that the right opponents are fielded against each other. And being here, it is also my duty, under the authority of LABA, to ensure the referees and other officials conducting the tournament are strictly guided by ethics of their duties. And so far, they are doing well.

For the advice on areas expected of the organizers to improve upon in their next outing, she said: "I could see that they have more of Exhibitions than the category fights. Yes, the Exhibition is also good for its purpose in talent hunting. It is to expose and encourage succession in boxing sports from among the teenage class. But I think they should have had more of the normal category fights. So, my advice is that they should feature less of the Exhibitions next time.

CLIP OF THE EXHIBITION FIGHTS "My second advice is to enjoin the organisers to keep up the good work and try to sustain its continuity. This will encourage the sport of boxing as they actually intended with this tournament. But it goes beyond that. As many may not know, Promotions like this have its social benefits in terms of taking many of the young minds out of the streets and keep them engaged in a hopeful future value. That is why promotions like this are a away of helping LABA to fulfill its objectives as we have it".

Cash prizes medals and other main and fringe awards were given to the participants and stakeholders alike. The award to Olukere of Ikere was presented to him by the Executive Chairman of Egbe-Idimu LCDA, Prince Balogun.