In New Year Message, Bash Ali Rallies Nigerians Never To Give Up, Thanks Buhari For Supporting GWR Bout

Posted on January 4, 2020

The World Boxing Federation (WBF) cruiserweight champion, Bashiru Lawrence Ali, OON, has enjoined Nigerians to believe in the Nigeria Project as patriotism to the nation is what the country needs now as the world begins a journey into another decade.

In his New Year message, the Boxing Ambassador while felicitating with Nigerians, admonished them to live above corruption and bad administration that have characterised the socio-political and economic environments of Nigeria.

The Edo State-born professional boxer said that though there has been general insinuation that nothing good can come out of Nigeria because of some bad eggs and their nefarious activities; he still believes that with patriotism and tenacity Nigeria has the potentials to be great.

He said that he has a testimony to give concerning what he has been facing in his quest to have the Guinness Book of World Record Championship staged in Nigeria; the first of its kind on African soil. He revealed that corruption and bad administration have not allowed the championship to see the light of the day since the crusade to stage the fight started.

Despite the frustration from officials of the government, he remains resolute and focuses on the glory ahead. He thank God that his patriotism and tenacity have paid off for him, as President Muhammadu Buhari has taken up the fight and has directed the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports to ensure that all support is given for the organisation of the boxing championship in Nigeria.

“Since the November 9, 2006 inauguration of the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee to organize in Nigeria the first Guinness World Record Boxing Championship Fight to happen on the soil of Africa, I have been fighting with criminal government officials who specialize in corruption and bad administration.

Bash Ali was hospitalised in the struggle against corruption and bad administration to have GWR Bout staged in the country

“And despite been detained at eight various police stations in Abuja, despite being beaten up severally and twice admitted at the National Hospital, Abuja to heal my wounds, despite being detained at Kuje Prison, Abuja from February 9-April 2, 2015, despite several juicy offers of up to 50 million Euros to fight outside of Nigeria, despite severally foreign newspapers including a New York Times article that says, “I am campaigning in vain in Nigeria to host my GWR fight”.

“Despite all these, I never gave up on Nigeria and I am happy to tell the world that my patriotism and tenacity have been recognised by our President, Muhammadu Buhari who. has directed the Minister of Sport, Mr Sunday Dare to go and organize in Nigeria the first GWR fight to happen on the soil of Africa. The President’s directive was conveyed to me on Monday, November 4, 2019 when I paid the Minister a courtesy visit in Abuja,” he said in the evening of 2 January, 2020 in Abuja.

Presidential directive from Muhammadu Buhari has once again brought the GWR fight back on stage

“I want to use this medium to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for recognizing my patriotism and tenacity and above all the Nigerian spirit of never give up. I also want to thank all Nigerians both at home and abroad and my foreign friends who have been praying for me through all these years. I appreciate all of you.

“I also want to tell all Nigerians never to give up on Nigeria, together; we can again make Nigeria great. And together, we are going to shock the world by rewriting boxing history and make all our critics our disciples.

“Mark my words. I wish everybody a super happy new year,” Bash Ali said in his New Year message.

P.M. EXPRESS reports that the night of the Guinness Book of World Record Boxing Championship is expected to be a night of honour for both Bash Ali and the country.

Bash Ali will be the oldest man on earth to step on a boxing ring to fight for a world title, and if he wins, his name and that of Nigeria will enter the Guinness Book of World Record as the oldest man to win a world boxing title. Bash Ali will clock 64 on 27 February, 2020.