Battling odds and poor infrastructure, coach Taiwo Adegbite of Nigeria is transforming lives of youngsters by training them in boxing free of cost
The Ebenezer Primary School in Egbeda—a local government area in Oyo state of Nigeria—turns into a hub of boxing on Sundays. To anyone’s surprise, the premises—which is far from being the best for a training zone—bustles with energy as a group of children (as young as 10-year-old) and youngsters remain engrossed in a back-breaking training session to be able to become Nigeria’s next generation of world-renowned boxers. During such a session, some worn-out tyres and a bamboo tree are converted into a makeshift goal post and each of the boxers takes turns to dangle on it in an attempt to strengthen shoulder, arm, and chest. Next, beer and soft drink bottles are arranged as cones for the aspirants to jog through
In fact, Sultan Adekoya, a 10-year-old Nigerian boy—who became an overnight boxing sensation and prodigy, thanks to his speed and skills, recently—was trained here. Adekoya is often nicknamed as “The Nigerian Muhammad Ali.”
But behind all these actions is the philanthropy and determination of Coach Taiwo Adegbite, better known as ‘Coach Tipo.’ He works for the youth of his country and used boxing to shape the lives of hundreds of youngsters. He trains these youngsters free of cost. Rather, he is on a mission to establish Nigeria as a country of talented boxers.
A native of Ogun, Ayeitoro, revealed that his passion had been the driving force behind the training academy. “I have no other work hence the drive for boxing. My coaching badges were solely my own responsibility which drove me out of the country to do my boxing courses and since I came back to Nigeria, we have been struggling to train the kids without facilities, but my passion and talent kept me going even when there is nothing”, said coach “Tipo” to a local news channel.
The coach was introduced to the sport quite early. ‘My father loved watching Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson on the television. He was a boxer in Ghana. Any time we (the coach and his siblings) came back from school, he (the coach’s father) played boxing CDs. He wanted us to concentrate on the boxing matches so that we could become good boxers. That’s how I was first acquainted with the sport,” he recalled.
The roads have been bumpy for the coach. Though he is determined to give back to the community, he is faced with the daunting task of raising funds. In the absence of funds, it gets difficult to purchase boxing gloves and other training equipment for the youngsters.
The coach—who has been associated with the sport for over 25 years—narrated the ordeals that characterised his boxing career. Unfortunately, his career was cut short by a recurring shoulder injury. “After 15 years of being an active boxer, I faced the injury. I was staging my fights in Ghana, but a dislocation around the shoulder ended my career. I had to quit active boxing. But I still love the sport, I was later advised to start up a boxing class for kids and I’ve never looked back since then,” he added.
But, what does it take to be an efficient boxing coach? “Coaches must stay calm and patient and understand the players. They should care for the players and give them good training,” he believes.
At a time when boxing in Nigeria is losing its popularity in the grassroots, it is pertinent that the sports ministry come up with a well-laid plan to help support talented youngsters, feels the coach. Like the coach, several others in the area have been demanding for a boxing gym around Egbeda. Taking steps in the right direction, the Nigeria Boxing Federation and the Sports ministry can build on many such coaches scattered across the country, he insisted. However, Tipo isn’t giving up. He says he will be there by the side of the kids who defy the odds to train daily in such a hostile environment.
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