Boxing: NBBofC, Balmoral Group train ref/judges

The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, in collaboration with Balmoral Group, has commenced a three-day training course for boxing referees and judges at the Brai Ayanote Boxing Gym, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The training, which began on Tuesday, November 5, and will run until Thursday, November 7, features renowned Ghanaian boxing official Rogers Barnor as the lead instructor.

The training is fully sponsored by Balmoral Group of Promotions, with CEO Ezekiel Adamu covering all expenses, including airfare, accommodation, and allowances.

NBBofC President Dr. Rafiu Ladipo explained that the initiative aims to improve officiating standards in Nigerian boxing.”We decided to bring Rogers Barnor, a very reputable referee-judge who has officiated across the world for over 30 years, to impact his wealth of experience and knowledge on our referees and judges. When officiating is not good, you can’t expect your sport to grow. But when you have good officiating, it encourages the sport to grow.

“It’s a big thing that is happening, and that goes to show how serious we are taking boxing in this country and how serious Balmoral boxing promotion is in helping us to promote boxing, so we’re happy for it,” he told our correspondent.

Barnor, a five-star boxing ring official qualified to officiate fights globally, expressed satisfaction with the turnout on the first day.

“I’m glad about the attendance. I was surprised to get that kind of number of attendees on the first day, and we’re looking forward to more. At the end of the day, all we want is quality,” the Ghanaian said.

“We’ll definitely have the quality we’re talking of, and then Nigerian boxing will get to where it’s supposed to get his beat to his past glory. Getting that job wasn’t to get his past glory when Nigeria had the likes of Charles Nwokolo, Bash Ali, Samuel Peter, and others.

NBBofC Secretary General Remi Aboderin said the training marked a significant step in the board’s efforts to raise Nigerian boxing to international standards.

“This training is a crucial investment in our officials’ development. We’re not just teaching rules; we’re building capacity for better decision-making and more professional officiating in Nigerian boxing,” Aboderin said.

“With the quality of instruction from Mr. Barnor and the support from Balmoral Group, we expect to see immediate improvements in our boxing officials’ performance.”

Former National Heavyweight Boxing Champion Adewunmi Babatunde, who participated in the training, emphasised its importance for the sport’s development.

“There’s no country that can develop more than the level of their education. For us to have better boxing in Nigeria, we need a standard of training. And to have a standard education, we need a refresher course like this,” Babatunde said.

Another participant, Oluseyi George, a referee and judge with NBBofC, noted that the interactive sessions would help improve officiating standards.”We have one of the best, probably the best referee in Africa. Even from the initial session, he’s been able to impart a lot. Questions that we had, he has answered very well,” George said.

The training includes both theoretical and practical sessions, with participants expected to receive certification upon completion.