By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 3, 2025

The iconic Brai Ayonote boxing gym at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, has received a comprehensive renovation that has restored the facility to its former glory, The PUNCH reports

The gym, which had fallen into disrepair with gaping holes in its roof and damaged infrastructure, now boasts repainted walls with ‘Brai Ayanote Boxing Gym’ emblazoned in bold letters across the front of the building.

The renovation work has seen the floorboards, ceilings and roof fixed, while the interior walls have been repainted and hanging pegs for punching bags installed, giving the facility the appearance of a proper national stadium boxing gym once again.

The transformation was made possible through the efforts of De-Lads boxing promotion company, following an initiative spearheaded by De-Lads CEO Alhaji Wasiu Alabi, who approached the Nigeria Boxing Federation with an offer to repair the gym’s damaged roof.

Former Nigeria Boxing Federation secretary-general Olalekan Faseesin, who facilitated and pushed for the renovation to happen, described the achievement as significant.

“It’s a milestone achievement we cannot downplay. Someone of that class can, in this harsh economy, use his hard-earned money to do this for the boxing gym,” Faseesin said.

He called for recognition and encouragement of private sector support for sports development.

“We have to encourage businessmen, sponsors and philanthropists like this when they are interested in helping the sport. He (Alabi) deserves all the accolades for someone who did this. We need to encourage other investors to put their money in sports. He deserves even a letter of appreciation from the National Sports Commission,” he added.

The renovation project was single-handedly carried out by Alabi, who said he didn’t do it for thanks as he has been working for the boxers for a while.

“This should not be a surprise, I did the same at the old boxing gym, and now I decided to do this às well to help the boxers.

“We have done beyond this, also organised skill acquisition for these boxers because boxing isn’t everything. I’m just always glad to help,” hé said.

The Brai Ayonote boxing gym has served as a training ground for many of Nigeria’s most accomplished boxers before they represented the country in international competitions, making it a significant monument in Nigerian boxing history.

Source Punch Ng

Posted October 3, 2025

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