The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has demanded compensation from World Boxing after three of its female boxers were barred from competing at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool due to delayed gender test results.
Secretary General of the NBF, Olalekan Faseesin, confirmed that a formal letter has been sent to World Boxing President, Boris van der Vorst, following discussions with the Nigerian Olympic Committee.
The affected boxers are Zainab Adeshina (51kg), Mistura Idowu (48kg), and Blessing Oraekwe (75kg). They were excluded from the tournament despite undergoing mandatory tests in Leeds immediately after arriving in the United Kingdom. Their results were not processed in time for the competition.
Faseesin said the federation is seeking compensation to cover flight tickets, hotel accommodation, and an all-expense-paid trip to the next championships in Delhi, India.
Nigeria was among several countries affected by the testing delays, including France, the Philippines, Fiji, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. Only Algeria and Nigeria represented Africa at the event.
The exclusion left British-born Nigerian, Patricia Mbata, as the country’s sole female representative. She lost her opening bout on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the development has triggered internal criticism within the federation. Interim president Azania Omo-Agege questioned how over ₦70 million approved for the trip was spent and described Nigeria’s participation as a costly mistake.
“You cannot have the team go without the national coach because these athletes can run away,” Omo-Agege added, faulting the absence of coach Tony Konyegwachie.
He called for a probe into the use of funds, stating that he would write to the National Assembly to request an investigation.
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