By Ben Nsemo
The interim president of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Azania Omo-Agege, has accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of discriminating against African nations through recent changes to Olympic boxing weight categories. Speaking to The PUNCH, Omo-Agege argued that the IOC’s decision to reduce boxing categories has adversely impacted African medal prospects at the Olympics.
Impact on African Boxing
“This has not been very good for Africa as most of the weight categories they took out are where Africa excelled,” Omo-Agege stated. “If you check our statistics for the past Olympics, Africa was coming with about three to five medals. Since the new change, Africa has only been getting one to two medals as a whole continent at the Olympics. That is discrimination.”
The NBF chief’s comments come after Africa secured just one boxing medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with Algeria’s Imane Khelif claiming gold in the -66kg category amid controversy over transphobic harassment and gender-related questions.
Athlete Challenges
The reduction in weight categories has forced athletes to make significant weight adjustments to compete, a practice Omo-Agege describes as unfair and discriminatory.
“Now when they reduce the categories, you are forcing the athletes to rapidly increase or reduce weights so as to compete, and that is not fair,” he said. “I am agitating for more slots where Africans have their strengths or to go back to the original weight categories.”
Nigeria’s struggles in Olympic boxing were evident in Paris. Adam Olaore, the nation’s last hope, crashed out in the round of 16 of the men’s 92kg heavyweight category against Kazakhstan’s Aibek Oralbay. The team’s campaign was further marred by Cynthia Ogunsemilore’s doping-related disqualification and Dolapo Omole’s injury withdrawal, extending Nigeria’s Olympic boxing medal drought since Duncan Dokiwari’s bronze at Atlanta 1996.
Plans for Revitalisation
Looking ahead to Los Angeles 2028, Omo-Agege has outlined plans to revive the Nigerian Boxing League as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the sport in the country.
“There is a perception that most of our boxers are from the streets. We are working to change that, and we need constant competition to do that,” he said. The federation chief also believes that the introduction of prize money by the International Boxing Association (IBA) will motivate athletes.
“Since there is prize money now from the International Boxing Association, the boxers will be encouraged to fight where they can actually earn a living. When we attend more competitions, it will put us in a good position to go out for international games where we can prepare ourselves for the Olympics.”
Call for Action
Omo-Agege’s remarks underscore the need for greater representation of African athletes in global sports and equitable policies to ensure a level playing field. As Nigeria seeks to end its Olympic boxing medal drought, the NBF’s efforts to bolster the sport domestically could be critical to its success on the international stage.
