National Sports Festival: Coach Blames Medical Officials Over Boxer Chukwuemeka Igboanugo’s Death

• National Sports Festival witnessed a tragic moment on Tuesday when a young boxer passed away
• Chukwuemeka Igboanugo, who was representing Imo State in the boxing event, received multiple punches
• A coach has blamed medics for failing to treat him urgently as he eventually lost his life

Tragedy struck at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State, after a boxer died on Tuesday, December 6.

Chukwuemeka Igboanugo lost his life during the event, and a coach has fingered medical personnel over failure to save the victim.

It was gathered that Imo State athlete Igboanugo incurred multiple punches in the chin from Anambra’s Gaby Amagor in their 86kg category bout before he passed out.

The referee then signalled the end of the fight as Igboanugo failed to recover, and efforts were made to resuscitate him quickly.

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A coach from Borno State Endurance Aberegidi told Punch:

“It was a pathetic situation. This guy trained for years, and after getting a national opportunity, he then dies in the ring.

“They were looking for the coach for over 20 minutes as the boy was not responding to treatment. I don’t know why they wasted so much time to treat the boy. They should have focused on treating him.

“They said the boy didn’t allow anyone to treat him and after a short while, they came back and said he had given up the ghost.

On his path, Lagos State boxer, Israel Makinde, described Igboanugo’s death as painful. He said:

“It’s weird, it’s so painful. But I am not scared, I think you must be aware of your health before the fight and so I am trying to prepare for my semi-final clash in the flyweight tomorrow.”

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Stadium collapses in Delta State

Sports Brief earlier reported that there was pandemonium at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Delta State on Thursday morning, November 10, after a section of the facility collapsed.

Reports claim three people died in the incident, sparking panic ahead of the National Sports Festival later this month.

Although the cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained, it would likely be connected to the rush to meet the project's deadline.