The Head of Nigeria’s delegation to the African Boxing Elite Championships 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, Capt. Rasulun Kashim, has referred to as for larger Nigerian involvement in the administration and decision-making buildings of African boxing, insisting that the nation should start to take its rightful place in the politics of the game at continental degree.
Kashim, a board member of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), made the decision throughout an unique interview with Sports247 in Nairobi, the place he assessed Nigeria’s participation in the championship, counseled the organisers and expressed confidence in the way forward for Nigerian boxing.
Speaking towards the backdrop of some controversial choices involving Nigerian boxers on the match, the delegation chief careworn that the nation’s pursuits could be higher served by means of stronger participation in the buildings answerable for shaping the route of African boxing.
“I think it is time for Nigeria to also be involved in the politics of boxing enough,” Kashim mentioned.
His remarks come at a time when questions have been raised by some spectators over judging choices involving Nigerian representatives on the continental championship.
Earlier in the competitors, Nigerian boxers Aishat Gbadamosi and Abdulramon Abdulwahab suffered defeats to opponents from Algeria and Egypt respectively, with sections of the viewers expressing disagreement with the judges’ verdicts.
While Kashim didn’t instantly accuse the championship officers of wrongdoing, his name for elevated Nigerian involvement in boxing administration underscored the significance he attaches to illustration past the ring.
The delegation chief, nevertheless, started his evaluation by applauding the organisers and the Kenyan authorities for offering African athletes with a chance to compete, achieve worldwide publicity and enhance their expertise.
“I must start by commending the organisers and the government of Kenya for putting up this kind of tournament,” he instructed Sports247.
“This is giving African boxers the chance to come together. From everything we have seen, this is a platform for our boxers to improve, and we look forward to more of these kinds of competitions.”
According to him, common continental championships are important to the event of African boxing as a result of they expose athletes to totally different preventing kinds, aggressive environments and the calls for of worldwide competitors.
Kashim maintained that tournaments of this nature ought to be inspired and sustained to strengthen the game throughout the continent.
Turning his consideration to the Nigerian contingent, the NBF board member expressed appreciation for the assist acquired from the management of the federation.
He notably counseled the federation president for the dedication demonstrated in direction of making certain Nigeria’s participation in the Nairobi championship.
“I must commend our federation president. With the kind of support we are getting, I think we will surely do well,” he said.
Kashim defined that the delegation arrived in Nairobi with sturdy perception in the talents of the Nigerian boxers and confidence that they might compete favourably towards their continental counterparts.
Despite some disappointing outcomes, he maintained that the performances of the athletes had supplied causes for encouragement.
He famous that the dedication displayed by the boxers demonstrated their potential and the significance of continuous to assist their improvement.
For the delegation chief, the accountability of constructing a profitable boxing nation extends past getting ready athletes for competitions.
He prompt that Nigeria should additionally strengthen its presence in the executive and technical buildings of the game, making certain that the nation participates meaningfully in discussions and choices affecting African boxing.
His place displays a broader concern that international locations searching for sustained success in worldwide sport should mix athlete improvement with efficient institutional illustration.
Kashim additionally emphasised the necessity to recognise the totally different duties of athletes, directors and technical officers.
While boxers are anticipated to focus on their performances contained in the ring, he indicated that these answerable for the technical points of competitors have to be allowed to hold out their duties throughout the established guidelines.
The Nigerian delegation chief expressed optimism that with sustained assist, higher publicity and stronger administrative participation, Nigerian boxing may proceed to make progress.
He insisted that the nation’s athletes possess the flexibility and dedication required to compete efficiently at continental degree.
“The boxers are good, and they are doing very well,” he mentioned, expressing confidence in their improvement.
As the African Boxing Elite Championships proceed in Nairobi, Kashim’s feedback have launched one other dimension to the dialog surrounding Nigeria’s participation.
Beyond medals and particular person victories, the NBF board member believes the nation should start to pay larger consideration to its affect throughout the buildings governing the game.
His message is especially vital at a championship the place Nigerian boxers have demonstrated resilience regardless of disappointing outcomes.
For Kashim, the street to a stronger Nigerian boxing future requires a mixture of improved athlete improvement, constant worldwide publicity, dedicated federation management and strategic involvement in continental boxing administration.
His central message from Nairobi is evident: Nigeria should not solely produce aggressive boxers contained in the ring; it should additionally strengthen its voice the place choices about African boxing are made.
