Fifty-eight year-old Nigeria’s boxing legend, Bash Ali showed his dance steps with hordes of drum-beating fans moments after the country’s sports minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi finally inaugurated a nine-man committee to help bring to reality Ali’s seven-year quest to enter the Guinness Book of record as the oldest fighter to win a world title.
The inauguration at the media centre of the Abuja National Stadium yesterday which attracted a large crowd was attended by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, Director of Elite Sports in the NSC, Dr. Bolaji Ojo- Oba and representatives of the sponsors.
“I’m thrilled that after seven years, this fight will be hold in the shores of Nigeria. I’m not happy but it’s destiny playing out in its own time,’’ began Ali in an exclusive chat with Pilot Sports.
“I was born on February 27, 1956, and we can see that at the age of 58, I’m still potent and ready to shock the world with my boxing skills. This Guinness World Record fight is the fight of my life and I’m training seriously to see that this dream of becoming the oldest boxer to win a world title becomes a reality.
While inaugurating the Local Organising Committee, LOC, headed by former sports minister, Bala Ka’oje, the sports minister Abdullahi said the ceremony marked a crucial juncture in the long awaited bid by Bash Ali to actualize his dream as one of the oldest boxers to be involved in a title fight.
The sports minister emphasized that because the project is purely private sector driven, government is not expected to be involved financially and directly in the hosting of the fight.
“The Federal government is, however, committed to providing the enabling environment that will make the fight a pleasurable and memorable event,’’ said Mallam Abdullahi while tasking the LOC “to get to work and complete your assignment within the first quarter of this year.’’
He listed the LOC’s terms of reference to include galvanizing all sources of support and funding through marketing and promotion, engage the services of credible promoters and undertake the packaging of the fight in an efficient, effective, transparent and accountable manner.
In his remark, DG of the National Sports Commission, Hon Elegbeleye urged the committee members to bring their wealth of experience to bear in order to ensure a successful hosting of the boxing showpiece.
Other members of the LOC are Hon. Abdullahi Hussaini, representing the ruling People’s Democratic Party; Otunba Benson Akingboye, the fight promoter and Remi Aboderin, representing the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, NBB of C. The list also includes Abdul-Kadiri Suleiman, representing Nexim Bank; Ojile Clement, NSC; Musa Maiyaki, DG, NTA; Tunde Orebiyi, AIT; and Sani Abimbola, FRCN.
The promoter of the fight, Otunba Benson Bamidele Akingboye, who doubles as the MD /CEO of Obaking International Promotions, expressed delight at the development and reassured Nigerians that there is no going back on the history-making event.
Ali is expected to tango in the ring with 34-year-old American fighter, Nick Cameron.