0
0
Nigeria’s Minister in an Allegation of $1 Million Dollar Bribery _Reports.
In what looked like a DNA in Nigeria sports, reports emerge on alleged conspiracy to rig former Boxing WBF Champ out of the way on his ambition to stage a WBF fight on home soil despite juicy offers from nations bidding to host the spectator sport.
International sports federation sanction erring nations trying to enforce a change in the rule of sports business which is evident with purnishment over improper conduct through courtof arbitration.
Coming from that background, Nigeria’s BoxingLegend Bash Ali has met brick wall trying to convey his intention to stage what should be a fight of the decade attracting visitors and professionals from over 130 countries across the globe.
The dream is alive but the bureacracy involved has held back this plan for far more than a decade.
The plan has been to stage the fight at the age of 52 in Nigeria but many years later and at slightly above 60 he is determined to keep the dream alive but the ministry is holding back due to red tapeism.
Standing in the way is an ambitious sports minister who insist of the culture of upfront to kick start the project in order to minimize risks or losses should there be a hitch.
But Bash Ali guided him through the back and forth providing a history of consultations and meetings held in the past with his predecessors trying to lay absolute control on an institution that is beyond their purview. He made it clear in his submission that the ministry only “midwife” the project as protocols deserve to earn glory as host, while all other members of the LOC shall be on payroll of WBF, the organizers.
But this will not sit well with officials of the Nigerian Government who see this as a goldmine and honey pot due to prize money paid to the athletes.
The clause in the trademark agreement may have triggered the eyes of the Minister with the ” instructions that Bash Ali is obligated to convert the domain name and trademark into cash recovery and he is prepared to sell the domain name and trademark of World Boxing Foundation to the highest bidder, subject to confirmation and financial ability”. The minister is curious to understand the dynamics which may have prompted his demands.
The most attractive product is a fight and not the licence in which the Honorable Minister is yet to comprehend. According to Bash Ali, ” the Honorable Minister stand to make clean money if his ministry midwife the fight on behalf of the Nigerian Government, whereas stakeholders, corporate Nigeria and other title sponsors investing on the project shall enjoy multiple benefits of this great fight that will be etched on the Guiness World Book of Records.
In all of the meetings and submissions tendered, the Honorable Minister has his eyes set on the crystal ball; either clean or dirty money the ministry should have been mobilised upfront as a sign of an agreement and consent.
In his argument, Bash Ali was succint when he mentioned in his letter to the Honorable Minister that ” all Guinness World Record Boxing Championship Fights have held in the USA, it will be an honour to host this one on African soil , and the Superb Undercard shall be money that will be generated through Pay Per View Television Revenue in the region of $3Billion Dollars, involving Sponsorship, adverts, local pay per view television and host of other spot bookings related to sales and formal engagements.
In all of these superior arguments, it is clear that Veteran Athletes have to choose their destiny. Bash Ali has made the decision to host the ultimate fight on home soil and we have to respect that. We have to see him off before finally hanging his gloves and bid the sport farewell in an emotional manner.
Its the decision of a man accustomed to the ring side. Its the reality. It is impossible to stand in his way to achieve that. He require the positive energy and support of the federation and corporate nigeria to set this new world record bout he so aspires.
Every year as he grow older he looses steam but never loose sight of the atmosphere around the boxing arena which is usually electric with fans and sponsors chanting, betting for fortune. He require the mental attitude, commitment of all stakeholders to build this new atmosphere that will flourish and attract inflows in billions of dollars and tourists from all corners of the world to Nigeria because, the title is here for grab.
It now depends on our individual commitment and beleive that the fight should happen soon so that the ministry will earn its pay check, the federation get paid and the competitors smile to the bank.
Ibrahim Garba
Core Reporters Abuja Nigeria
SB E-news
SB events magazine
Efficiency magazine
Efficiency award for excellence EAE.
www.sbenews.com.ng
www.efficiency.com.ng
ceo_sbenews@efficiency.com.ng
sbeventsmagazine@gmail.com
About the Author
