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Medals and cash prizes up for grabs*
Twenty-four young boxers from the four sporting zones of Ogun State will compete at the first RIYE U17 Boxing Circuit scheduled for Friday, October 30, 2026 at the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta, with organizers ensuring participants and spectators of adequate security and effective coordination.
The competition is organized by the Hon. Tunde Delu, Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Youth Development, under the Young Athletes Yield Initiative (YAYI), with the aim of identifying, nurturing and developing young sporting talents across the state.
Speaking at a press conference held in Abeokuta on Thursday, Hon. Delu said the stage was set for the event, which is expected to provide a platform to discover and showcase the next generation of boxing talent in Ogun State.
He explained that the RIYE sports circuit was established to identify promising young athletes early, monitor their progress and provide them with the necessary support to develop their potential.
According to him, the initiative goes beyond organizing competitions, as it is designed to create a structured path for young athletes to grow and excel in their chosen sports.
“The RIYE sports circuit is designed to identify young talent early, nurture them and provide a structured pathway for their development. We are not just organizing competitions, we are building a system that will give promising athletes the opportunity to grow, improve and represent Ogun State and Nigeria in the future.”
He added that the organizers were committed to ensuring a safe and well-coordinated competition that encourages young boxers and promotes grassroots boxing in the state.
“We are committed to ensuring that this first U17 boxing circuit is safe, well-coordinated and rewarding for all participants. Our aim is to encourage these young boxers, promote grassroots boxing and create more opportunities for our young people to excel through the sport.”
Hon Delu recalled that the organizers had previously organized the RIYE U15 Athletics Championships and revealed that plans were underway to extend the circuit to other sports disciplines, including table tennis, gymnastics, scrabble and many others.
The winners of the 12 bouts will each receive ₦100,000 in prize money, while the other participating boxers will receive ₦50,000 each. Medals will also be awarded to young competitors.
One of the boxers expected at the event, Anuoluwapo Soyombo, popularly known as Beast, has expressed confidence ahead of the competition, promising an exciting spectacle for spectators.
She said she is ready to compete and emerge victorious, adding that she and the other 23 boxers have been training intensively in recent weeks in preparation for the event.
Meanwhile, the secretary of Ogun State Boxing Association and promoter of boxing, coach David Osuolale, has assured that technical and safety requirements for the competition have been adequately met.
Also speaking, the President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun State chapter, Comrade Michael Azeez Ogunsiji, and former boxing champion and coach, Sunday Michael, lauded the initiative and commended the Hon. Delu for creating opportunities for young athletes to showcase their skills.
