The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) is hosting a fiercely competitive national trial to select its team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. A total of 128 boxers, including four athletes from the diaspora, are vying for a chance to represent the country. This high-stakes competition underscores the depth of talent in Nigerian boxing and the intense desire to secure a place on the international stage.
According to Vivian Azimene, Secretary General of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, the trials have drawn 101 men and 27 women. This significant turnout highlights the growing participation and interest in the sport across both genders in Nigeria. The trials represent a critical step in identifying the nation's best pugilists who will carry the nation's hopes in Glasgow.
Azimene provided crucial details on the team's composition, stating, 'Initially, we were supposed to go with three women and three men.' However, she explained that after a visit from the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, the federation received a promising update. 'We've been promised five female boxers and five male boxers. In total, 10 athletes will represent Nigeria in boxing,' Azimene confirmed. This expansion from six to ten slots is a positive development for the sport's representation.
In a separate development, the Nigerian equities market experienced a day of muted activity and mixed signals. The Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) edged marginally higher by 0.08%, closing at 196,629.83 from an opening of 196,605.33. This slight gain, however, was accompanied by a notable decline in overall market activity, painting a picture of cautious trading.
Market data reveals a broad cooling of investor participation. The total number of Deals executed dropped sharply by 15.30 per cent to 71,312. Trading volume also eased by 1.89 per cent to 805.25 million shares. More significantly, the total value of transactions fell by 11.15 per cent to N38.42 billion, indicating reduced financial commitment from market players during the session.
The session's metrics showed a clear shift in market sentiment. The number of gainers dropped sharply by 43.59 per cent to just 22, while the number of losers edged up by 5.71 per cent to 37. Furthermore, the number of Unchanged Stocks rose significantly by 28.07 per cent to 73. Despite the marginal index gain, the NGX market capitalisation actually declined by 0.08 per cent, easing from N126.19 trillion to N126.10 trillion.
Shifting to the retail sector, Nigeria's leading composite e-commerce platform, Konga, has announced the launch of its highly anticipated Berekete Sales, a nationwide promotional campaign. This event is a significant moment for Nigerian consumers and the digital economy, offering discounts across a wide range of products. Such campaigns are key drivers of online shopping activity and consumer spending.
Among the standout offers in the Konga Berekete Sales is a special deal on the Starlink Gen 3 kit. The satellite internet kit is now available for N550,000, a reduction from its regular price of N590,000. This promotion makes advanced internet connectivity technology more accessible to Nigerian households and businesses, potentially bridging digital divides. The launch underscores the competitive and promotional nature of Nigeria's growing e-commerce landscape.
