SURE-P To Support Bash Ali’s Quest To Break World Record

The  Chairman of the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Gen. Martin-Luther Agwai , on Wednesday assured Cruiserweight boxer Bash Ali of maximum support in his boxing quest for glory.

Agwai gave the assurance in Abuja when he met with Ali who was soliciting SURE-P’s support for the Guinness Book of World Record fight.

The International Boxing Union (IBU) is demanding $1 million (N162 million) sanctioning fees to be paid latest April 30 or Nigeria will lose the hosting right.

Agwai, however, said Nigerians should see the Guinness Book of World Record fight as a national project and help the boxer to source for the money.

“If we can produce in every geo-political zone one Bash Ali, that means we are going to get at least six world champions.

“A lot of them will also want to rise to rule the world in so many sports, not only boxing.

“We should never as a country, individuals, collectively allow this great dream to die.

“I went to Bulgaria and I was in a restaurant and somebody asked me where I came from? I said ‘from Nigeria’ and he said ‘Jay Jay Okocha’.

“That is what he knows; he identifies Nigeria with Jay Jay Okocha.

“I will also want that everywhere a Nigerian goes; they will say are you from the same country with Bash Ali,’’ Agwai said

Earlier, Ali enumerated the benefits accruing from the fight, saying that Nigeria stands the chance of earning about $500 million in the fight and attracting about 12 million viewers.