The maiden RIYE Under-17 Boxing Circuit is set to take place on October 30, 2026, at the Alake Sports Centre in Ijeja, Abeokuta, Ogun State. A total of 24 young boxers from the four sporting zones of the state will participate in the competition. The event is organized by the Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Youth Development, Honourable Tunde Delu, under the Young Athletes Yield Initiative (YAYI).
The RIYE Under-17 Boxing Circuit aims to identify, nurture, and develop young sporting talents across Ogun State. According to Honourable Tunde Delu, the competition is part of efforts to establish a structured pathway for young athletes to develop their abilities and pursue successful sporting careers. The initiative is designed not only to provide competitive opportunities but also to identify promising athletes early and support their long-term development.
The organizers have assured participants and spectators of adequate safety measures and effective coordination throughout the competition. Winners of the 12 bouts will each receive one hundred thousand naira, while other participating boxers will receive fifty thousand naira each. Medals will also be presented to the competitors. The event is expected to promote grassroots amateur boxing and the development of young athletes in the state.
One of the boxers expected to participate, Anuoluwapo Soyombo, popularly known as Beast, expressed confidence in her preparation, promising an exciting performance. She said the boxers had undergone intensive training in recent weeks ahead of the competition. This year's event is not the first of its kind, as the organizers had earlier held the RIYE Under-15 Athletics Championships.
The Secretary of the Ogun State Boxing Association and boxing promoter, Coach David Osuolale, assured that the technical and safety requirements for the event had been adequately addressed. Coach Osuolale commended the organizers for investing in grassroots amateur boxing and promoting the development of young athletes. He expressed confidence in the success of the event.
In their separate contributions, the Chairman, Ogun State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Comrade Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, and former boxing champion and coach, Sunday Michael, applauded the initiative, describing it as an opportunity for emerging talents to showcase their abilities. They commended Honourable Tunde Delu and the organizers for their efforts in promoting youth development and sports in the state.
Plans are underway to extend the RIYE circuit to other sports, including table tennis, gymnastics, and scrabble. The organizers aim to create a comprehensive platform for young athletes to develop their skills and pursue successful sporting careers. With the maiden RIYE Under-17 Boxing Circuit set to kick off, Ogun State is expected to witness a new era in youth sports development.
Key points
- The RIYE Under-17 Boxing Circuit aims to identify and nurture young sporting talents across Ogun State.
- Winners of the 12 bouts will each receive one hundred thousand naira, while other participating boxers will receive fifty thousand naira each.
- The event is part of efforts to establish a structured pathway for young athletes to develop their abilities and pursue successful sporting careers.
