Lagos Boxer, Michael, Knocks-out Effiong in First Round

*LOC explains why some athletes didn’t get same quality accommodation 

Bolarinwa Michael knocked out Asuquo Effiong from Cross River state in round one at the ongoing National Youth Games.

The Lagos rising pugilist set the pace on the ring after landing continuous punches to achieve a victory in his first outing at the developmental Games.

Bolarinwa in blue corner competed in the 46kg category.His next bout is against Odumosor Precious from  Delta state.

The boxing event is taking place at the St. Patrick’s College, Thanimade Hall, Asaba, Delta State.

Meanwhile, organisers of the Games in Asaba have dismissed controversy generated by pictures in social media about some states’ athletes sleeping on mattresses on floor of a hall.

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Tonobok Okowa, explained to journalists covering the Games that some of the states brought 

more than the required number of athletes entered for the Games.

 “To organise a successful National Sports Festival needs long planning, and we did all our arrangement long before now,” Okowa began.

 He added: “There is what we call Delegate Registration Meeting (DRM), and at the meeting with the Main Organising Committee (MOC), every state presented the number of athletes they are bringing to the NYG. That was how we arrived at that number of 4,500 athletes for the Games. 

 “But to our surprise, some states brought in more athletes than the required number to congest the hostel accommodation. They took them to the hostel even without our knowledge.

 “For instance, Bayelsa has 366 athletes in the DRM, but they brought in additional 50 athletes, which has put their total athletes at 416. Kwara state was supposed to present 167 athletes for the Games, but the state now has 194 athletes (27 extra). 

 “Osun State was supposed to present 107, but they now have 144 athletes (37 extra), while Benue State was supposed to present 56 athletes, but they now have 84 (28 extra). There are other states with additional number of athletes here, and it will be difficult to prevent the young athletes from using the hostel facilities. We also cater for their feeding. There might be some difficulties providing complete full bed hostels for all of the 4,500 registered athletes and the extra ones. 

 “Don’t also forget that this Games were earlier scheduled to begin September 7, when schools were still on holidays. With postponement to September 20 through 30when schools have resumed, it became difficult to secure hostel facilities as had earlier been arranged with various schools.”