Commonwealth Games Qualifier: Foreign-Based boxers arrive for National Boxing Week
The Nigeria Boxing Federation has confirmed the arrival of several foreign-based Nigerian boxers ahead of the maiden edition of National Boxing Week, as the countdown begins to the 2026 Commonwealth
The Nigeria Boxing Federation has confirmed the arrival of several foreign-based Nigerian boxers ahead of the maiden edition of National Boxing Week, as the countdown begins to the 2026 Commonwealth Games qualifiers.
National Boxing Week, holding between March 1–6 at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Complex, National Stadium, Lagos, will host the National Open Trials to select Team Nigeria’s representatives for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The week-long event is being organized in alignment with the merit-driven reforms championed by the National Sports Commission.
The arrival of diaspora athletes in addition to Nigeria-based boxers signals growing confidence in the Federation’s renewed commitment to transparency, fairness, and global competitiveness. The National Open Trials will provide an equal platform for both home-based and foreign-based boxers to compete for the right to wear the green and white.
Vice President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Omonlei Imadu, described the development as a positive turning point for the sport.
“This is a new era for Nigerian boxing. The fact that our foreign-based athletes are returning home to compete speaks volumes about the credibility of the process we are building. Selection for the Commonwealth Games will be fierce, but it will be fair and strictly based on merit,” he said.
The trials will feature ten weight categories across men’s and women’s divisions. Affiliated clubs, state associations, institutions, and eligible Nigerian boxers worldwide are expected to present one boxer per weight category, ensuring a truly national and inclusive competition.
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Beyond the ring, National Boxing Week will serve as a holistic platform for reform and development. Activities will include a joint seminar for referees and coaches, orientation sessions for athletes focused on discipline and professionalism, and stakeholder engagements aimed at strengthening the domestic boxing ecosystem.
In a landmark modernization effort, the Federation will also unveil new digital initiatives, including an automated licensing system and enhanced digital governance infrastructure to improve transparency, athlete management, and administrative efficiency.
National Boxing Week will also celebrate the legacy of Nigerian boxing legend Hogan “Kid” Bassey, whose contributions brought global recognition to the country and continue to inspire a new generation of champions.
The National Boxing Week promises to be a defining chapter in the resurgence of Nigerian boxing, blending history, reform, competition, and national pride into a landmark event.
