From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
|
The newly crowned national boxing light heavyweight title holder, Adewale “Masevex” Masebinu has called on the government at all levels in Nigeria to focus more attention on the development and promotion of sports, particularly the game of boxing in the country.
The Ikere Ekiti-borned boxer also appealed to well meaning Nigerians to give financial support to both upcoming professional and amateur boxers in the state in their quest to create names for themselves and bring honour to the state and Nigeria at large.
Masebinu noted that there are so many talented youths, who are willing to take up the game of boxing as a profession in the state, but are getting discouraged because of lack of basic training facilities and financial support.
He made the call in Ado Ekiti while showcasing his title belt and medal to the journalists upon his return from the GOTV Night 16 held recently in Lagos State.
The History and International Studies graduate of the Ekiti State University, (EKSU) Ado Ekiti, beat Kabiru “KB Godson” Towolawi to clinch the title of the competition.
He Knocked out Towolawi in the sixth round of their scheduled twelve round bout at the GOTV Night 16 held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on October 14, 2018.
The title bout was one of the local and international contests which also feature nine bouts across different weight divisions.
Masebinu who started as a boxer in 2005 and turned a professional in 2015 said: “I am the current national light heavyweight champion in Nigeria. I am the first medal winner in boxing and professional boxer in Ekiti State.
” My focus is to win the World Boxing Association (WBA) World Boxing Organisation (WBO) as well as International Boxing Federation (IBF) and bring honour to Ekiti and Nigeria. Boxing is not meant for the tout, I want government to encourage upcoming boxers and develop the sport in the country.
“We want government to be supporting them by giving them allowances and render assistance where necessary. We have talents in the state that can make the state proud locally and internationally.”
Speaking on the state of sports in the Ekiti State, the new title holder advised Governor Kayode to give more attention to sports development in the state.
“I am here to present the belt to Governor Fayemi and let him know that an Ekiti born boxer has won a national title. I want our Governor to please encourage sportsmen and women in the state in this dispensation”.
He also solicited the assistance of the state government, religious Organisations as well as private individuals in securing for him a promoter and a manager, saying he has been with a promoter and manager since he turned professional three years ago.
Masebinu also admonished the Ministry of Youths and Sport as well as the Boxing association in the country to come up with the policies and programmes that will impact positively on boxers and the administration of the game in the country.