In a significant move to bolster the sporting infrastructure in Osun State, the Chairman of YUGATECO Boxing Promotion, philanthropist, and boxing enthusiast Omonlei Yakubu Imadu, has donated a standard boxing ring to the Osun State government. This gesture aims to promote youth development and position Osun as a hub for future boxing talents.
The commissioning of the ring took place at the Osogbo Township Stadium, where Mr. Imadu expressed his desire to see the state become a center for nurturing boxing excellence. He emphasized that the donation aligns with his broader vision of supporting grassroots sports development and empowering young people through boxing.
“We decided to go from state to state, and when we reached Osun, we discovered that despite the abundance of talent, the state lacked adequate facilities. This donation is a way of complementing the government’s efforts, as they can’t do it all alone,” said Imadu during his remarks. He also shared his long-term goal of preparing Nigerian boxing talents for the 2028 Olympics, with Osun being a key focus in that mission.
Representing the Osun State government at the event was Hon. Iyiola Sefiu Babatunde “Sheff,” Senior Special Adviser on Culture and Sports, who spoke on behalf of the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi. Hon. Sefiu praised the donation, describing it as a crucial step towards enhancing sports development in Osun and aligning with Governor Ademola Jackson Adeleke’s strategy for advancing the state’s sporting infrastructure.
“This initiative is the beginning of talent development in boxing for Osun,” said Hon. Sefiu. He highlighted that this donation was especially timely as it coincided with the upcoming international boxing match between Osun’s own UBO African Light Heavyweight Champion, Abdulrasheed Idowu, popularly known as ID Buster, and South Africa’s Rowan Campbell. ID Buster, a native of Osun, will defend his title on home soil on the 1st of October, 2024, marking a historic moment for the state’s boxing scene.
Hon. Sefiu also expressed optimism about the future of boxing in Osun, stating that the combination of a standard boxing ring and the upcoming international fight will serve as catalysts for developing world-class talent in the state.
Imadu further reiterated that the donation was not just about the ring itself but about creating a framework for long-term development. He appealed to stakeholders in the state to consider building a boxing gym, which would further enhance opportunities for young boxers and ensure they remain engaged in productive activities, ultimately reducing crime rates and improving the economy.
The event marks a new chapter for Osun’s sporting sector, with hopes that the donation will serve as a foundation for nurturing future boxing champions and making Osun a prominent player on the Nigerian sports scene.
