Ogun to Construct Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring – Abiodun
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring in the state. The new facility will be located in Abeokuta, aimed at fostering sports development, particularly boxing, and providing a world-class training space for athletes.
Governor Abiodun made the announcement on Monday while hosting two-time former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua at his office. During the meeting, he also revealed that Joshua would light the torch for the Gateway Games National Sports Festival, which has been rescheduled to May next year.
“I want to openly request that, in addition to officially confirming you as our sports ambassador today, we would like you to return to Ogun State to light the Gateway Sports Festival torch,” Abiodun said. “We are also going to construct a brand new Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring in Abeokuta to ensure that you come home more frequently. Alongside that, we will be giving you a brand new house in Sagamu.”
The Governor expressed his hopes that Joshua would also work with the state’s sports officials, including the Director General of the National Sports Commission and the Commissioner for Sports Development, to help organize a boxing championship in Ogun State. He emphasized that sports, particularly boxing, could play a key role in uniting people and inspiring youth.
“We believe that with your experience, we can host boxing tournaments leading up to the sports festival. Your participation and mentorship would be invaluable in this regard,” he added.
Abiodun further explained that the state’s hosting of the National Sports Festival was a major milestone, noting that significant investments were being made to refurbish and expand the state’s sports infrastructure in preparation for the event. Although originally set for January, the festival has been postponed to May due to technical reasons.
Joshua, in his response, expressed his commitment to promoting Ogun State globally, citing the wealth of talent in music, arts, and sports within the region. He vowed to support the state’s sports development efforts and mentor young athletes to inspire future generations.
“I am proud of my roots and excited to give back to Ogun State. There’s immense talent here, and I look forward to working with the Governor and officials to bring more attention to the state’s sporting potential,” Joshua said.
The Governor concluded by reiterating his administration’s commitment to supporting Anthony Joshua’s career and fostering an environment where athletes can thrive. He commended Joshua’s achievements and expressed confidence that his return to Ogun State would inspire many aspiring athletes in the region.
