The maiden edition of the South-East Amateur Boxing Championship has officially begun in Umuahia, with young boxers from across the region battling for honours in a competition designed to revive grassroots boxing and discover future champions.
Enugu and Abia made impressive starts to the tournament, recording early victories on the opening day of the championship.
Declaring the event open, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, described the tournament as a landmark initiative for sports development in the South-East.
“This championship will produce future champions and create a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents,” Ananaba said.
The championship, sponsored by the Abia State Government, aims to revive amateur boxing in the region while providing opportunities for emerging talents to gain competitive experience.
Ananaba stressed that beyond winning medals, the competition is focused on youth engagement, social inclusion and empowering young people through sport.
“This is a significant milestone in our collective effort to develop grassroots sports, promote youth engagement and inspire the next generation of athletes,” he added.
The commissioner also reaffirmed the Abia State Government’s commitment to investing in sports as a tool for talent discovery and regional development.
He urged participants to compete with discipline, respect and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
The South-East Amateur Boxing Championship is expected to become an annual event, providing a sustainable pathway for young boxers from the region to progress to national and international competitions.
