The Abia State Government has immortalised the late legendary Olympian and celebrated boxer, Bishop Obisie Nwankpa, announcing that medals for boxing champions at the Abia State Secondary School Unity Games will henceforth be presented as the Obisie Nwankpa Medal.
The Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, disclosed this on Friday at the Umuahia Township Stadium during a state burial organised in honour of the late boxing icon.
Sir Ananaba represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Mr Raymond Ukwa, said the recognition was a fitting tribute to the boxer’s lifelong commitment to excellence and service.
According to him, the gesture ensures that “his name will live in Abia schools, sports development system and in the dreams of young Abians who believe in excellence”.
He condoled with the Nwankpa family on behalf of the State Government, noting that the late boxer belonged to “the generation that defined sports in Nigeria“.
“Today we gather as a State, united in gratitude and solemn reflection, to honour the life and legacy of one of Abia’s most illustrious sons, late Obisie Nwankpa, who was fondly called the Golden Gloves.
“Obisie belonged to the generation that defined sports in Nigeria. They defined it through discipline, sacrifice and uncommon patriotism.
“All through his sporting and boxing career, he represented Nigeria and Abia State at the heights of sports excellence. He didn’t just represent the State; he represented the hopes of the people and of course, the resilience of the Country.
“He invested his time, resources and personal influence into the lives of young people, young athletes, opening doors and creating opportunities that would not have been accessed on their own.
“So today, we bid him farewell. And on behalf of the Government and people of Abia State, I say today with clarity and gratitude, Abia State remembers Obisie Nwankpa”, Sir Amanaba stated.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Chief Cyril Nwaigwe, described the late boxer’s passing as a difficult void to fill in both his family and the sporting community and urged the bereaved family to be comforted and not grieve “as people without hope”.
In his tribute, the Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, highlighted the remarkable achievements of the late boxer, revealing that he recorded 23 victories in 29 professional fights, 16 of them by knockout.
“Our brother lying down here today started boxing from the amateur level and he made it to the professional level.
“Obisie Nwankpa got a gold medal in All African Games as far back as 1973 in Lagos. He also got a gold medal in Commonwealth Games. He was a light welterweight boxer. He was in Munich Olympics of 1972.
“Obisie Nwankpa had so many boxing titles. He fought 29 fights and out of the 29 fights, he won 23. And out of the 23 fights he had, 16 were knockout. So he was a warrior. He was a fighter. He was a talented boxer”, Sir George said.
Delivering a sermon titled Divine Responsibility, Mr Stanley Adindu reminded the audience that every individual is assigned a purpose and time to fulfil it, urging people to identify and complete their life’s assignment diligently.
The late boxer’s the widow, Mrs Franca Obisie Nwankpa, and his first daughter, Mrs Victoria Ngozi while paying glowing tributes to the deceased recalled his commitment and devotion to his family, describing him as compassionate, generous and fiercely protective of fairness and equity.
The late Bishop Obisie Nwankpa, aged 75, was later laid to rest in his hometown, Okpulukwu Umuosu, Nsulu, in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.
The funeral which was attended by Government officials, Sports icons among others featured performance by the Olympian Community and boxing demonstration.
