By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Participants of the 5-day training seminar for Nigeria Boxing Referees and Judges in Kaduna State have described the training as apt and rich in content as well as delivery.
The boxing officiating officials gave their positions in a separate interviews with newsmen in Kaduna.
They commended the sponsor, Technical Director Nigeria Boxing Federation, Northwest Representative on the Federation board and Chairman Kaduna State Boxing Association, Mr Femi Ayandibu for his determination to uplift the game in the country.
In an interview, the sponsor of the training, Mr Ayandibu said he is always fulfilled to adding value to boxing.
The former boxer who represented Kaduna State during his school days, said he is giving back to the sport that he is passionate about.
“These technical officials are critical to the boxing federation quest to take the game to the next level.
“As a Technical Director I am very fulfilled to facilitate the capacity building of my members, to remain relevant and updated with the new rules governing boxing,” he added.
Mr Femi Ayandibu thanked Kaduna State Government and the Ministry of Sports Development for their uncommon support to boxing in the state and country at large.
He then confirmed the participation of Kaduna State Boxers in the National Open Men and Women Boxing Championship to be hosted in Kaduna State this month.
Also, the resource person, who doubles as the vice president of the Boxing Referees and judges association, AbdulRazaq Oyadiran, emphasized that boxing has since gone digital, hence there is the need for this kind of training.
AbdulRazaq said he has taken the referees and judges through the rules and paid special attention to certain areas where there are new developments in line with international rules.
“A common scenario is when a boxer suddenly gets injured, before you find referees trying to assist and falls to the floor, the new rule says a referee/judge must not touch any part of the boxer, your responsibility is to summon the ring physicians to come into the ring, except the ring physicians order you to render any assistance, you stay away,” he disclosed.
