Reps back Bash Ali’s Guinness boxing dream, rule out government funding

The House of Representatives on Wednesday advised veteran Nigerian boxer, Bash Ali, to pursue private funding initiatives for his long-awaited Guinness World Record Boxing Championship, while urging relevant government agencies to provide regulatory and logistical support within the limits of their statutory responsibilities. The resolution followed the consideration and adoption of a report presented by the House Committee on Public Petitions, chaired by Mr Kwamoti Bitrus, on a petition filed by the former cruiserweight champion against the National Sports Commission. Ali, who is seeking to become the oldest boxer in history to fight in a professional championship bout, has spent more than two decades campaigning for the staging of the proposed Guinness World Record fight in Nigeria. Presenting the committee’s report during plenary, Bitrus said the petitioner alleged acts of sabotage and administrative impediments by officials of the National Sports Commission, which he claimed had frustrated efforts to actualise the historic boxing event. Following its review of the petition, the committee recommended that Ali proceed with the project strictly as a privately funded venture. The House subsequently adopted the recommendation that “the petitioner (Bash Ali) should proceed strictly within the framework of a privately-funded initiative and in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements governing sporting events in Nigeria.” Lawmakers also directed the National Sports Commission to ensure a level playing field in the processing of approvals and other regulatory requirements connected to the proposed championship. According to the adopted report, “the National Sports Commission should, within its statutory mandate, provide a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory regulatory environment, including timely processing of approvals, access to facilities on standard terms and coordination with relevant agencies for security and logistics.” The House further urged relevant government institutions to offer non-financial assistance where necessary, while making it clear that such support should not create any financial obligation for the government. Related News Reps demand rescue of abducted worshippers, justice for slain Ekiti pastor APC loses Rep members to PRP, ADC Nigeria win three gold medals at African Taekwondo Champs It resolved that “relevant government agencies” should provide “non-financial support such as security, protocol coordination and international liaison, where formally requested and deemed appropriate, without creating financial lia