Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has announced plans
by the state government to construct a new Boxing ring in honour of Anthony
Joshua.
Governor Abiodun also announced that the two-time
former world heavyweight boxing champion would be lighting the National Sports
Festival torch in May 2025.
The governor made these known on Monday when he hosted
Joshua in his office.
“I want to openly request that, besides the fact that
today we are going to officially confirm you as our sports ambassador, we want
to request that you come back to light up the Gateway Sports Festival torch;
you will be the one lighting it up.
“We are going to construct a brand new Anthony Joshua
Indoor Boxing Ring, and that boxing ring will be in a stadium here in Abeokuta.
“This is to ensure that you come home more frequently.
Besides the fact that you are now our official sports ambassador, we have
decided that we will give you a brand new house in Sagamu,” he said.
Abiodun said the state was proud of the boxer’s
achievements on the world stage, and would support his career in every way it
could.
He urged him to find ways of supporting the state in
the area of sports development by working alongside stakeholders in the state.
“We leave you to work with the National Sports
Commission and the Commissioner for Sports Development on what we can do to
ensure that we have activities leading to the sports festival in your boxing
arena.
“In preparation for the sports festival, we are
spending a lot of money; we are totally refurbishing, rehabilitating, and
reconstructing our sporting facilities.
“As you know, sports is a universal language; it
brings people from different parts of the world together,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, Anthony Joshua noted that he
would work toward promoting Ogun to the rest of the world by showcasing the
numerous talents in the state.(NAN)
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