By Francis Ajuonuma
Veteran Nigerian boxing coach Ibrahim Akinola is not giving up on his dream to produce more world champion for the country
The over 70-year-old man, who runs a boxing club at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, known as the Ola-Akins International Boxing Club where he trains both male and female kid boxers from from 10 years and above, said Nigeria is blessed huge boxing potentials needing to be groomed to greatness.
Papa Akinola, who claimed to have started the grooming of female boxers in the country back in 2004, said he is happy with what he is doing with the kids, despite the financial challenges he faced to keep the club running.
”I love what I’m doing with these kids. i don’t receive any financial support from where. I run this club with the little I have because I want to achieve my dream to produce world boxing champions for the country.
”I started this club more than 20 years ago and I have produced some fine boxers in the country, who have gone ahead to become National and international champions.
”I discovered and brought up the likes of Rufus Giwa, Akeem the Warrior, Iyabo Steven, a female now fighting for Nigeria police and many others and I’m determined to do more because I want to see my boxers become world champions,” he said.
Papa Akinola, also known as Baba Boxing is however disturbed with the poor state of professional boxing in the country and hopes that more promoters will come in to uplift it and make it more lucrative and attractive.
“Professional boxing in Nigeria is going down and I’m not happy about what is happening to the sport. I want to appeal to more promoters to come into the sport and uplift for the good of the country because Nigerian boxers have the potential to become world champions,” the septuagenarian added.
Papa Akinola who is also a member of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) train over 30 kid boxers in his club will be happy to receive support from the corporate world and well meaningful individuals to make his dream come true.
Though, I’ve been running this club alone for many years now, I will be happy to get supports from Nigerians. I need because It has not been easy for me but i thank God for the strength courage I have to keep the club going,” he concluded.
