Abia State is set to make history as it hosts the inaugural South-East Amateur Boxing Championship from Tuesday, June 24 to Friday, June 26, 2026, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Umuahia Township Stadium.
The championship will bring together some of the finest amateur boxers from across the five South-East states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, providing a platform for athletes to showcase their talent, compete for honours, and enhance the development of boxing in the region.
According to the competition format, the men’s category will feature seven weight divisions, while the women’s category will be contested in five weight divisions. Each participating state is expected to register a contingent of 12 athletes, making the championship one of the biggest amateur boxing events in the South-East region.
In a press release signed by the South-East Zonal Coordinator of the National Sports Commission, Mr. Ezema Bernard Ede, the tournament is being organised by the Abia State Government in collaboration with boxing stakeholders under the supervision of Chief Orji Nnamdi, the South-East Zone Boxing Representative.
The championship is also expected to attract coaches, officials, sports enthusiasts, and talent scouts from across the country, further boosting the profile of boxing in the region.
The hosting of the maiden South-East Amateur Boxing Championship is widely regarded as another significant milestone in the ongoing efforts of the administration of Governor Alex Otti to reposition sports development in Abia State. Since assuming office, the governor has demonstrated a strong commitment to youth empowerment and sports infrastructure development, creating opportunities for athletes to excel at both national and international levels.
With preparations already in top gear, boxing fans are expected to witness four days of thrilling contests as the region’s best amateur pugilists battle for supremacy and regional bragging rights in Umuahia.
