The Nigerian Boxing Federation (NBF) has explained that its 17-man team for an international friendly challenge with Ghanaian boxers will help improve the team ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.
The contingent comprising boxers, coaches and officials departed Lagos on Wednesday to feature in the friendly tournament, which the organisers say will be used to assess athlete readiness and competitive sharpness.
The contingent comprises a blend of male and female boxers, alongside a full complement of technical and administrative officials.
The male boxers in the team are Ogunremi Michael (55kg), Sodiq Oduniyi (60kg), Abdulrahmon Abdulwahaab (65kg), Folly Hassan (70kg) and Daniel Joshua (80kg).
The women's team comprises Aishat Gbadamosi (57kg), Kadijat Ajisola (54kg) and Orakwe Blessing (75kg), while the officials include Tonye Ageba (coach), Laguda Babatunde (technical chairman), Lazarus Hirekaan (doctor), Vivian Akohwarien (NBF secretary general), with the federation's vice president, Omolie Yakubu Imadu, serving as the leader of the delegation.
According to the head of the NBF technical committee, Laguda, the competition, which began yesterday, is a vital step in exposing the boxers in a competitive environment.
He added that exposing the boxers to international competition would help assess how their training has helped in getting them ready for the challenges ahead.
He said: “The Ghana friendly tournament is truly the way to go at a time like this.
“Our boxers are currently camping in Lagos ahead of the Commonwealth Games, and this international friendly will further expose them to a more competitive atmosphere.”
Earlier, NBF Vice President, Omonlei Imadu, disclosed that the federation would soon unveil details of two more friendly tournaments as the squad prepares for the Commonwealth Games.
“As part of our camping for the Glasgow Games, we are in the final stages of discussions with two other nations on friendly matches,” Imadu said.
He explained that “we aim to ensure that our boxers get the best preparation before July when the Commonwealth Games begin.”
