Boxing Championship Holds in Aba as Abia Government Explains Rationale for Sports Sponsorship

A professional boxing championship took place in Aba, Abia State, with Zoe Chibuike Okoronkwo successfully defending his featherweight title after defeating challenger Nwambeke Ndubuisi by technical knockout.

In other bouts, Israel Obinna Ogbodo overcame Udeh Chibuike, while Chinaza Ikechukwu Okoronkwo retained his lightweight title by defeating Ede Emmanuel Peter through a unanimous decision.

Speaking at the Rising Lion in Elephant Shadow Boxing Championship, tagged “Enyimba 2025,” held on Tuesday at the Aba Sports Club, the Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, said the administration of Governor Alex Otti is deliberate and committed to the development of sports in the state.

According to him, the championship, which featured featherweight and lightweight title fights, aligns with the state government’s sports development policy aimed at discovering and nurturing raw talents.

The commissioner explained that the consistent sponsorship of sports activities by the Abia State Government is geared towards identifying talents, creating a structured system for their growth, and grooming them into world-class athletes.

“We are organising events like this to ensure we identify talents, put structures in place to nurture them, and help them become the best athletes they can be. I am grateful to His Excellency for his full support. He recently procured this boxing ring to encourage and further develop talents,” Sir Ananaba said.

He added that the successful hosting of the event demonstrated Governor Otti’s unwavering support for both sports and youth development in the state.

The commissioner urged young people to emulate late boxing legend Obisie Nwakpa, who brought honour to Abia State and Nigeria through his achievements, noting that sports development in the state has recorded significant improvements.

Sir Ananaba thanked Governor Otti for his support, commended the organisers for a job well done, and appreciated Aba Sports Club 1926 for providing the venue for the championship.

In his remarks, the President General of the Nigerian Supporters Club, Dr Rafiu Oladipo, praised Governor Otti’s efforts in sports development and called on governments at all levels to give boxing the same level of support accorded to other sports, particularly football.

Dr Oladipo recalled that boxing was the first sport to bring global recognition to Nigeria and paid tribute to former Nigerian boxers who positively projected the country’s image internationally.

“If sports remain one of the strongest ways of promoting our image globally, then it deserves all the support it can get,” he said, urging youths to take advantage of championships like this to build their careers. He noted that sports, including boxing and football, has become one of the biggest businesses in the world.

Also speaking, the Abia State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, described the championship as the first professional boxing event of its kind in the state. He noted that two Abia-born boxers successfully defended their titles during the event and expressed gratitude that they retained their Southeast belts.

Comrade George also acknowledged the donation of boxing equipment to the state by the two boxers, expressing optimism that the gesture would further advance boxing development in Abia State.

The event featured the formal handover of a boxing ring procured for the state government by an Abia-born former boxer, Mr Ikechukwu Okoronkwo, who thanked Governor Otti for approving the procurement of the equipment and supporting the championship.