NEWS
Abia Crowned Champions as Maiden South-East Amateur Boxing Tournament Ends in Grand Style
— Clinches 8 Gold, 3 Silver, and 2 Bronze Medals
The maiden edition of the South-East Amateur Boxing Tournament came to a memorable conclusion at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Umuahia Township Stadium, with host state, Abia, emerging as the overall champions after a commanding display throughout the competition.
Abia dominated the championship by clinching an impressive eight gold, three silver, and two bronze medals to finish at the top of the medals table.
Enugu State secured second position with four gold and four silver medals, while Imo State placed third after winning one gold, one silver, and five bronze medals.
Anambra State finished fourth with one gold and two bronze medals, while Ebonyi State rounded off the standings in fifth place with two silver and three bronze medals.
The closing ceremony was officially declared by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Pastor Mrs. Jane Maxwell Igwe, who represented the Honourable Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba.
Delivering the Commissioner’s goodwill message, Mrs. Igwe congratulated all participating states, athletes, coaches, and officials for the discipline, resilience, and sportsmanship displayed throughout the championship.
She reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Abia State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, to promoting grassroots sports development and creating sustainable platforms for young talents to discover and showcase their potential.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Igwe described the tournament as more than just a sporting competition, noting that it represented the birth of a new generation of boxing talents capable of making Nigeria proud on the global stage.
“We didn’t just witness boxing matches; we witnessed the future of Nigerian boxing unfolding before our very eyes,“ she said.
She further emphasized that the championship was “never just about medals or trophies, but about grassroots development and giving our youths a platform to punch their way to global stardom,“ expressing confidence that many of the athletes would go on to become future Commonwealth, Olympic, and world champions.
Earlier, the Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, expressed appreciation to all participating states, coaches, referees, officials, and members of the organizing committee for contributing to the success of the historic maiden edition. He commended the athletes for their determination, courage, and competitive spirit, while wishing all delegates a safe journey back to their respective states.
The successful hosting of the championship further reinforces the commitment of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, under the leadership of Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, to restoring Abia’s reputation as a sporting powerhouse through aggressive talent discovery, grassroots competitions, and strategic investments in youth and sports development.
The tournament is widely regarded as a significant milestone for amateur boxing in the South-East, providing an important platform for nurturing young talents and strengthening regional sporting excellence while laying the foundation for future national and 
international champions.