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Each time, our true heroes helplessly pass on as a result of poverty and or curable health challenges, I weep profusely. Tears well up my eyes when I remember Jerry Okorodudu, Rashidi Yekini, Peter Fregene, Sebastian Brodericks, Mike Onyemachara, Emmanuel Ebiede and Thompson Oliha among others who served Nigeria, but died as a result of avoidable situations.
A more recent example is the Nigerian icon, the undefeated World Cruiserweight champion, Bash Ali. At over sixty and still sparring in the gym, he has for many years asking the nation to sponsor a fight to enable him prove that Nigeria have some of the best athletes in the world despite his age.
Successive governments since Obasanjo have ignored his call. As usual, he was invited to the US but he declines the invitation by sports loving enthusiasts on the grounds that Nigeria can earn over a billion dollar if it’s done here at home, a push that has seen Bash Ali in media bouts with sports ministers.
Bash Ali with President B, A,Tinubu during the latter’s 71st birthday celebration. Will the ringside bell tool for Bash to mount the ring with this president?
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has always shown interest in hosting this historic event in Nigeria and on 3 occasions, November 9, 2006, January 7, 2014 and on May 21, 2019 inaugurated the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee (LOC) with the office of the chief of staff of the President representing the Presidency, the office of the senate president and the office of the speaker both representing the legislature while the private sector will fund the historic event and the FGN through the Ministry of Sports will provide an enabling environment for a successful show. The FGN is not putting up a KOBO. Despite three inaugurations and the representatives of the FGN in the local organizing Committee, the historic event is yet to see the light of the day because of corruption.
Now, that President Tinubu has come on board with the renewed hope agenda, Nigeria and the world are looking forward to Bash Ali to rewrite Boxing History in Nigeria and earn a place in the Guinness World Record Book as the oldest boxer to ever defend and fight for a world Boxing Championship Fight. The world is watching.
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