Towards its determination to drive Sports to a higher level in the country, the Federal Ministry of Sports Development is to collaborate with YUCATECO Boxing Promotion to develop Grassroots boxing in the country.
The Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh made this declaration when the organisation paid him a courtesy visit in his office recently in Abuja.
He disclosed that the future of Sports Development starts from grassroots where talents are discovered and nurtured.
“No country makes progress in sports without starting from the grassroots. It is one of the goals of the ministry to take sporting activities to grassroot”.
The Minister commended the YUCATECO Boxing Promotion for pioneering the Grassroots Boxing League to nurture young talents and give them the opportunity to compete with other nations adding that it is also an incentive to keep them off the street.
Senator Owan Enoh noted that Nigeria has had its glorious days in Boxing and averred that if properly handled it has the potential of winning gold at a global level.
He urged the President not to limit its trajectory but to upscale to national level by organising a National Boxing Tournament to create a transition pathway for the discovered talents to the elite level.
“I need to encourage you to step up, not that I want you to get out of grassroots but also need you to play at the national level probably by way of organizing a national championship tournament that would pave way for the discovered talents to transit to elite sports”.
Speaking further the Minister challenged other well meaning Nigerians to do same in other fields of sports as such will go a long way to alleviate poverty and create jobs in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking earlier, the President and Chief Executive Officer of YUCATECO Limited and the convener of the Boxing Tournament, Mr Omole Imadu Yakubu revealed that it has always been his passion to contribute in the development of young talents through sports in the country.
According to him development of sports in the country and engaging the youths is the responsibility of everyone and should not be left for government alone.
Kehinde Ajayi (Mrs)
Director Press and Public Relations.
