By Jacob Ajom
Nigerian boxers have been challenged to put to an end the perennial failure to win medals at international competitions, particularly at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

Making the challenge at the commissioning ceremony of the General Kenneth Minimah Boxing Hostel at the weekend, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut said the 30-bedroom facility would serve as a cushion for the boxing federation in terms of accommodation for boxers who will be camped there ahead of international assignments.

“From now on, our boxers will have no excuse not to appear in our green-white-green on the podium in any international event,” the DG said.

Earlier, General Minimah said the facility will primarily solve the problem of accommodation for not only the boxers, but for other federations who would like to camp their athletes there. He however reminded them that fees will be charged.

He said the federation will now focus on how to make the sport achieve new heights at international competitions. “We want to abolish the era of recalling history when talking about our sport. We should record new achievements and I believe this is the first step to achieving it,” Minimah, who is also the Chief of Army Staff said.