NSF: Boxing’ll haul medals for Ondo –Obanla
By Femi Atolagbe
|
The Chief Coach of Ondo state Boxing, Mr Abiodun Obanla has expressed his athletes’ readiness to haul medals for the state at the forthcoming National Sports Festival (NSF) in Edo state.
Obanla, in an interview with Sporting Hope, said they had embarked on early preparation ahead of the games in Edo state, saying they have started training since last month with ‘loading’ and other skills of the game.
He added that, “even when the state have not released fund for camping, our association with the help of our Chairman, Adura Olelehin have camped the 13 athletes approved for us for the Festival in camp with three square meal at the state hostel.
“Our target is to ensure our boys are in good shape for the festival, that was the reason we didn’t wait till government will release money for camping, hence we sought the assistance of the private individuals which our association’s chairman took upon himself to fund the camping,” he added.
Obanla revealed that Boxing has been giving the state medals since 1977, saying there was no Festival that Boxing had not won medals for the state.
His words, “In 1985 when other sports failed at the National Sports Festival, it was only boxing that gave the state the only gold in that year.
Despite late preparation to Abuja 2018, we won one Gold, one Silver and a Bronze for the state.
“With God on our side, coupled with hard work, we are going to win at least five medals for the state,” he stated.