19/10/2023
Understandable point of view.
It's a mixed feeling kind of thing, Olympics boxing needs high level boxing aptitude which is honestly scarce in our local boxing.
Hopefully we get the medals and spotlight on us from Paris.
Let's go champs!!! 🥊
*THE CONSEQUENCES OF NIGERIA BOXING QUALIFICATIONS FOR PARIS OLYMPICS 2024*
PAGE 2. _(continuation)_
By: Laguda Babatunde.
I am also worried that our DNA is beginning to resemble that of football, Basketball and Table tennis in Nigeria. These sister-sports rely solely on foreign based athletes to the Olympics. (Discussion for another day).
This development is new to Nigeria boxing. It is a phenomenon that should invite our curiousity if not our worries. Knowing fully well that Nigeria Boxing has never presented a foreign based or professional boxer in any Olympic Games, even with a modest credit of 6 Olympic medals, it should make us wonder where we are and where we may be heading. And, more importantly, ask if we're prepared for this journey.
I acknowledge and iterate that sports is dynamic, and so is Boxing. What we need now is to prepare ourselves, coaches, officials and administrators for current and emerging trends from where we are now. That way, we will become more aware of where we are going, what to expect, our new responsibilities and be adequately prepared for the journey. The dynamics are changing and so are the consequences for us...
1. We must remember that winning an Olympic gold medal remains the ultimate goal. It is a serious business, needing that all hands be on deck.
We should strategize from the inside and plan to be in control of our sport and remain relevant in the journey.
2. Our coaches should get upgraded in their skills, knowing fully well that boxers are now competing at a more professional level now. How, for example, does that affect our boxers' training regimen?
3. The Boxing Federation should immediately annex the Boxing Patriots like Boxing Hall of Fame by Hon. Wale Edun and Yucateco Boxing promotion by Hon. Omole Imadu for regular competitions and participation in international competitions
4. The needs for courses and workshops to update all the stakeholders cannot be overstated. The terrain is changing, we need to adapt or drop out.
5. What will make our spectacular performances at the Senegal Olympic qualifier sustainable is to start early preparation for the Olympics. That will lead us to achieving our long time dream of winning the Olympics Gold medal.
6. We should start to seriously approach corporate bodies and brands for investment, not just sponsorships, and partnership, not just funding, because government budget alone cannot raise Olympic gold medalists.
7. Also, we should keep in mind that anyone can get to the top by chance, champions become great by staying consistently on top. This doesn't happen by chance. There is work, serious and smart work.
Again, I congratulate one and all for the victories of Senegal. Now, let us go to Paris and conquer. Shall we?
Thank you
Laguda Babatunde
