NBF head coach, Olalehin debunks allegations on Team Nigeria's poor outing

Posted : 04 August 2024

The head coach of the Nigerian boxing team at the ongoing 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, Adura Olalehin, has reacted to the allegations leveled against him, the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), and the Sports Ministry by another national boxer, Segun Ajose, as untrue and unfair.

It will be recalled that Segun Ajose, in an interview circulated on some media platforms, accused the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), the Ministry of Sports, and Coach Adura Olalehin of fielding incompetent boxers and negatively influencing the boxers, leading to failed doping tests and defeat in Paris.

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Reacting in an interview, Coach Olalehin expressed disappointment over the accusations, describing Ajose, a former national pugilist, as unfair to the Ministry, himself, and the players, whom he said were devastated by the current situation.

Olalehin, a former international boxer who represented Nigeria in many international competitions, explained that the athletes in Paris were well-trained and qualified to participate in the Olympics. He stressed that Cynthia Ogunsemilore, in particular, was a sure medal hopeful based on her performances and sparring while training in Germany ahead of the Olympics, but the case of the failed dope test remains a heartbreak to the team.

While further explaining the situation, Coach Olalehin said that though the case of the failed test was still being investigated, the athletes were adequately guided and educated on the negative effects of taking any banned substances.

“You see, all the boxers were trained and educated on the adverse effects of banned substances, and they were all eager and ready to compete clean at the Olympics,” Olalehin stated.

Coach Olalehin, who has a background as a boxer, charged Segun Ajose to be a model rather than discrediting the efforts of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) and the Ministry of Sports, who are doing everything possible to bring back the glory of Nigerian boxing at the international level. He emphasized that Ajose’s actions were tormenting the mental health of the young boxers who were still in pain at the ongoing 2024 Olympics and tarnishing the image of other boxers internationally.

Responding to the doping allegations leveled personally against him by Segun Ajose, Coach Olalehin said he has been training and representing Nigeria in many international competitions with certified medical doctors in Nigeria and overseas. He has never taken any substance to influence his performance in the ring and therefore won’t allow any athletes under his watch to take banned substances.

“I have been a role model to young boxers in Nigeria and overseas, supporting them morally and otherwise to aspire for the top. Nothing will ever move me to use banned substances or influence and encourage my athletes and young boxers to do that. I’m a clean, professional boxer,” Olalehin asserted.

The American-based Nigerian boxer also advised Ajose to stop tarnishing the image of Nigerian boxers and the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), saying his comments over the years have been negatively affecting the team, bringing misfortune to the country’s efforts in reviving boxing among other nations of the world.

“Ajose’s aim was to damage my image, the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), and the Ministry of Sports to the outside world. The male boxer Adams Olaore lost to Kazakhstan’s Oralbay Aibek. We noted the mistakes and are already working on them. It’s painful that Segun Ajose has been on the internet discrediting our efforts and engaging in unfounded allegations. The media attacks, sincerely, are not fair,” he added.

Olalehin further stated that Ajose is engaging in sports politics and blackmailing people and the federation, stressing that such moves are unnecessary. He urged Ajose to be a professional boxer who is ready to grow the game in Nigeria.

While speaking on the non-inclusion of Coach Anthony Konyegwachie in the team, Coach Olalehin said several questions need to be answered, which he would love Coach Anthony Konyegwachie to personally respond to.

Coach Olalehin, a silver medalist at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, concluded by saying that no amount of threats would stop him from giving back to the country that made him, training and supporting athletes, focusing on rebranding Nigeria's image in boxing, and winning laurels. He expressed his belief that Nigeria will win gold in boxing someday.

NBF head coach, Olalehin debunks allegations on Team Nigeria's poor outing

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