Nigerian boxers get Youth Olympics tickets News

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Nigerian boxers get Youth Olympics tickets

By Daily Sports Nigeria on December 22, 2025

Nigerian boxers secured two gold medals and one bronze at the Africa Youth Games in Angola, with the gold medallists earning qualification tickets for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

Ayomide Mayowa won Nigeria’s first gold medal with a victory over Algeria’s Bensallah Bouthenia via split decision in the 48kg final, while Abijuwon Farouq claimed the second gold after gaining a walkover against Bofenda Mabela of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who was overweight before their 50kg final.

Joshua Solomon earned bronze after losing his 70kg semi-final bout to Angola’s Wisdom Pedro by split decision.

The gold medal victories have secured automatic qualification for Mayowa and Farouq to represent Nigeria at the Youth Olympic Games scheduled for October to November 2026 in Dakar, Senegal.

The secretary general of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Vivian Azimene, who led the team to Angola, praised the boxers’ grit and commitment.

“I am happy that the boxers were able to justify the trust and belief in the team by the NBF board, the National Sports Commission leadership, as well as that of the entire Nigerians,” Azimene said.

“The performance of these young pugilists means one thing: that boxing in Nigeria has taken an upward trajectory.”

The vice president of the NBF, Hon. Omonlei Imadu, said the new board is committed to changing the narrative of boxing in the country.

“I am excited to say that it’s a new dawn for boxing in Nigeria. The performance of our boxers in Angola is only elementary to what we can achieve as a board,” Imadu said.

“We already have a well-structured programme for holistic development of the sport going forward, and this will take effect from the month of January 2026.”

The Yucateco boss, who initiated the first-ever amateur boxing league in Africa, praised the National Sports Commission for their support and encouragement.

“It’s important that I also mention that the leadership of the NSC has been greatly supportive in all we have achieved in this very short period,” Imadu said.

“With such collaboration and support from the apex sports governing body in the country, things can only get better in our sports.”

The boxers will be hosted to a grand reception in Lagos on Monday (today) by the Nigeria Boxing Federation.

The team was coached by the experienced Anthony Konyegwachie, whose tactical nous guided the pugilists to their commanding performances in Luanda.

Source Punch Ng

Posted December 22, 2025