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By Peter Akinbo.
Enugu State boxing coach Blaise Ude has revealed that plans have been concluded for grassroots talent discovery to improve boxing in the state.
According to Ude, those who are discovered from the exercise would take over from the professionals when they retire.
The boxing coach said grassroots talent discovery is necessary to keep the state competitive in the game as the state loses boxers to other states and beyond.
“Enugu State professional boxers travel abroad for greener pastures and that calls for replacement; that was the reason for the exercise,” Ude said.
“For now, the state boxers are on serious training for the forthcoming National Youth Games which I believe they will do the state proud if given the opportunity,” he said.
The seventh National Youth Games will be hosted by Delta State from February 8 to 18, 2023.
Ude said the youth games would come early and noted that he grassroots talent discovery would start after the games.
“The boxing technical team will go into the hinterlands of the state, both schools and communities, to unearth talents that will become champions in years to come.
“We all are grassroots products and for this, the only solution to the declining boxing in the country remains with grassroots discovery,” the coach added.
He also charged the state government to revive school sports to aid grassroots development and to unearth talents in different sports.