…Urges him to be role model for upcoming boxers

By Femi Atolagbe

The Head Coach of the Nigerian boxing team at the ongoing 2024 Olympics in Paris, Adura Olalehin, has stated that he has never taken any performance-enhancing substances throughout his career as a boxer.

Olalehin added that he has trained and represented Nigeria in many international competitions with certified medical doctors both in Nigeria and overseas, maintaining that he has never used any performance-enhancing drugs.

“I won’t allow any athletes under my watch to take banned substances,” he declared.

He made these remarks in response to allegations leveled against him and the Nigerian Boxing Federation (NBF) by former Nigerian boxer Segun Ajose.

Ajose accused the NBF and the Ministry of Sports of fielding incompetent boxers and negatively influencing them, leading to failed doping tests and defeats in Paris.

“All Segun Ajose said was untrue and unfair,” Olalehin said.

Olalehin expressed disappointment over the accusations, describing Ajose, a former national pugilist, as being unfair to the Ministry, himself, and the players, who he said were devastated by the current situation.

Ajose had accused the NBF, the Ministry of Sports, and Coach Olalehin of fielding incompetent boxers and negatively influencing them, leading to failed doping tests and defeats in Paris.

Olalehin, a former international boxer who has represented Nigeria in many international competitions, said, “Athletes in Paris were well-trained and qualified to participate in the Olympics.

Cynthia Ogunsemilore, in particular, was a sure medal hopeful based on her performances and sparring while training in Germany ahead of the Olympics.

However, the case of the failed doping test remains heartbreaking for the team.”

The 2006 Commonwealth silver medalist disclosed that the case of the failed test is still being investigated.

He emphasized that the athletes were adequately guided and educated on the negative effects of taking any banned substances.

“You see, all the boxers were trained and educated on the adverse effects of banned substances, and they were all eager and ready to compete clean at the Olympics,” Olalehin said.

He advised Segun Ajose to be a role model rather than discredit the efforts of the NBF and the Ministry of Sports, who are doing everything possible to restore the glory of Nigerian boxers at the international level.

He said, “I have been a role model to young boxers both in Nigeria and overseas, supporting them morally and otherwise to aspire to the top.

“Nothing will ever move me to use banned substances or influence and encourage my athletes and young boxers to do so. I’m a clean, professional boxer.

Olalehin urged Ajose to stop tarnishing the image of Nigerian boxers and the NBF, saying his comments over the years have negatively affected the team and undermined the country’s efforts to resuscitate boxing among other nations of the world.

“Ajose’s aim was to damage my image, the NBF, and the Ministry of Sports to the outside world. Male boxer Adams Olaore lost to Kazakhstan’s Oralbay Aibek, and we noted the mistakes and are already working on them.

“It’s painful that Segun Ajose has been on the internet discrediting our efforts and engaging in unfounded allegations. The media attack, sincerely, is not fair.”

He added that Ajose is simply engaging in sports politics and blackmailing people and the federation, stressing that such actions are unnecessary.

“He should instead, focus on being a professional boxer who is ready to help grow the sport in Nigeria.

Addressing the exclusion of Coach Anthony Konyegwachie from the team, Coach Olalehin mentioned that several questions remain unanswered, and he would prefer that Coach Konyegwachie respond to them personally.

“No amount of threats will stop me from giving back to the country that made me.

“I will continue to train, support athletes, and focus on rebranding Nigeria’s image in boxing and winning laurels.

” I believe that Nigeria will win gold in boxing someday,” he concluded.