How Nigerian boxers missed gathering of international pugilists in Dubai
There may be no representatives from Nigeria at the impressive line-up of esteemed boxers and industry experts gather in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates to deliberate at the athlete-centered Global Boxing Forum. It will be followed by the 2023 IBA Ordinary Congress.
The Forum returned to the United Arab Emirates after a successful third edition last year, which was also held in Abu Dhabi.
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With 2024 around the corner, the International Boxing Association (IBA) looks to the future – discussing how to best support boxers, tying in with this year’s overarching theme of “Protecting the Physical, Mental and Financial Health of our Athletes”.
According to The Guardian report, the organisers had extended invitation to two Nigerian top sports journalists to be part of the Global Boxing Forum in Dubai, but the arrangement was later cancelled following the visa ban placed on Nigerian citizens from entering the UAE.
A document made available to The Guardian reads: “It’s a pity but I have some bad news for our friends coming from Nigeria. We have just been informed about something that we were not aware. Nigerian citizens are not allowed to travel to UAE since 2022 and although the two countries are discussing to solve the issue and lift the ban.
The historic event will present opportunity for journalists from all parts of the globe to share ideas with president of the IBA, Umar Kremlev, who will speak on the hosting of the inaugural Global and Continental Journalists Awards.
Other boxing officials will have the opportunity to focus on unity of the athletes, just as other attendees will deliberate on how to best support and shape the sport in the years ahead.
Secretary General and CEO of the IBA, Chris Roberts, will be on the first panel of the day: “Financial Support Programme as a tool to excel,” with Dutch-born boxer and IBA Champions’ Night winner, Megan de Cler.
The organisers stated that the eighth edition of Champions’ Night will hold soon after the forum. In the main event, Olympic champion, Albert Batyrgaziev from Russia and Cuba’s three-time world champion, Lazaro Alvarez, will fight for 10 rounds in the 60kg weight category, for the first IBA professional title. Four IBA professional bouts are scheduled, as well as three professional fights.