A boxer representing team Imo, Mr. Chukwuemeka Igboanogo, Monday, died in the boxing ring at the ongoing National Sports Festival holding in Asaba, Delta State
An eyewitness said that, “the boxer received a punch in his chin and the referee had to stop the fight when he failed to recover,”
Accoding to him, “he was immediately rushed out of the ring for medical treatment and there after taken to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.”
The commissioner for information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, who confirmed the death said Delta state government will unravel what led to the death of the young boxer.
According Aniagwu, “You cannot say exactly what Lead to the death until an autopsy is carried out and the report known. It is unfortunate that such happened to one of the participants.”
But, aside what befell the Imo contingent, they vowed to make sure they put the news of the untimely death of their colleague behind them.
A table tennis player who does not want his name mentioned said the news came to them as rude shock, considering that the boxer was an easy going man.
He said the deceased “came with the intention to win gold but the unexpected has happened. We lost him but we will not allow that to weaken our spirit. We shall continue to pray for his soul and talk to our state government to assist the family considering that he died when representing the state.”
The ongoing sports festival has been dogged in several controversies amidst lack of necessary organisational input with athletes and officials wailing daily over sub-standard facilities in hostels and competition venues.
