LAGOS – Tony Konyegwachie, Head Coach, Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), has expressed confidence that the boxers for the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) World Youth Boxing Championships would be victorious.
Konyegwachie made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos before their departure to Bulgaria on Thursday night for the tournament.
He said the boxers had undergone a thorough training that had prepared them for a successful outing.
“I am optimistic that our boxers will win and make the country proud by winning gold, silver and bronze medals in their various categories,’’ he said.
The contingent departed the country aboard a Turkish Airline aircraft for the tournament holding in Sofia, Bulgaria, from April 10 to April 17.
The contingent which comprises of three female and eight male boxers and a two-man coaching crew was led by Olusola Luke, the NBF Secretary.
He gave the names of the boxers as Kazeem Isaka, Oladimeji Salami, Aliu Ibrahim, Muyideen Oyakoro, Henry Effiong and team captain, Victor Dooga.
Others are Oluwaseun Alani and Mutiate Adebayo.
Also in the team are Yetunde Dunuga, Okejimi Ayankola and Celina Agwu.
The caches are Konyegwachie and Adura Olalehin.
Konyegwachie said the boxers exhibited a high level of commitment throughout the period of preparation and were acquainted with latest fighting rules of AIBA.
He said the rules would be applied at the championships.
“They are all abreast with the current AIBA rules because all the training we conducted for them were based on the latest requirements for the competition,’’ he said.
He, however, urged Nigerians to pray for them so that their objective of topping the medals table at the championships would be achieved.
“We just need everybody to assist us with prayers because I believe in the power of prayers to support our homework for remarkable performance at the championships,’’ he added. (NAN)
