▪️The Nigerian Boxing Federation settled on Adura Olalehin for the Technical Director’s position because of his wealth of experience and also as a former successful international boxer
The Nigerian Boxing Federation (NBF) has appointed former star boxer Adura Olalehin as the Technical Director.
Announcing the appointment of Olalehin, the federation’s Director of Communications, Mathew Okugbe said they took into account Olalehin’s wealth of experience and the fact that he was a prominent international boxer during his hey days in the ring. He won a silver in the light-heavyweight division at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, losing in the finals to Scotland’s Kenneth Anderson.
“As the Technical Director Adura Olalehin will work under the guidance of NBF Technical Committee chaired by the elected board members,” said Okugbe, adding:”NBF trusts that Olalehin’s experience, exposure and unwavering resolve to the advancement of Olympic style boxing in Nigeria will significantly contribute to the success of the Nigerian boxers and the federation as a whole.”
As a coach, Olalehin is associated with the historic achievement of Nigeria’s national team in the 2023 African Games in Accra where they emerged triumphant with eight gold and two silvers ahead of second-placed Algeria and Ghana in third place.
Nigeria’s feat of landing 1O boxers in the finals and subsequently winning eight gold and two silvers, slightly beat Kenya’s record of eight gold and two bronzes at the 1987 African Games in Nairobi.
Olalehin was assistant coach 1 to head coach Tony Konyegwachie while IBA cutman instructor Yinka Adeoti was assistant coach 2 female.
In Accra, the female boxers finished on top of their male compatriots with five gold medals by featherweight Ojo Nene Joy, lightweight Cynthia Ogunsemilore, light-middleweight Blessing Oraekwe, middleweight Patricia Mbata and light-heavyweight Jacinta Umunnakwe. The three male gold medallists were featherweight Omole Dolapo, heavyweight Adam Olaore and super-heavyweight Ifeanyi Onyekwere.
After Accra’s memorable success, Olalehin took charge of Nigeria’s two boxers at the Paris Olympics.
“The globally exposed boxing devotee has also served as the Southwest representative on the NBF board from 2021 to 2025,” said Okugbe.
Okugbe told boxersworld.co.ke that the Nigerian Boxing Federation President, Wale Edun, has landed running eager to lead the federation to greater heights of success.
“Honourable Edun has pledged to reform boxing in the country through the strategic implementation of his vision and policies for the overall development of boxing,” said Okugbe.
The nation’s Finance Minister further called on boxing stakeholders to support the new NBF board in the actualization of its boxing plans and programs for the country.
