Sports Minister Senator John Owan-Enoh Vows to Confront Former World Boxing Champion Bash Alli Over Alleged Blackmail
The sports world in Nigeria is currently abuzz with the ongoing feud between the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan-Enoh, and former World Boxing Champion, Bash Alli. The 68-year-old boxer has accused the Minister of demanding a hefty sum of $1 million in order to endorse his plan to stage a Guinness World Record Boxing Championship fight in Nigeria.
Senator Enoh has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that he has never asked for any form of gratification from Bash Alli. In a press conference addressing the issue, the Minister expressed his disappointment in the former boxer’s tactics of blackmail and defamation.
Enoh emphasized the importance of standing up against baseless accusations and not allowing individuals like Bash Alli to tarnish the reputation of public servants. He highlighted the need for integrity and honesty in public service, and vowed to confront the former champion head-on.
The Minister recounted a meeting he had with Bash Alli early in his tenure, where he was advised against meeting the boxer due to his questionable character. Despite the warnings, Enoh decided to meet with him out of respect for his age and the open-door policy of his Ministry. However, he made it clear that there were no follow-ups after the meeting, and he has since refused to engage with Bash Alli despite his persistent requests.
Furthermore, Senator Enoh revealed that Bash Alli’s plan to stage a boxing fight in Nigeria has been ongoing for almost two decades, with the former champion resorting to blackmail and underhand tactics to pressure the government into funding the event. The Minister reiterated that staging such an event is not the responsibility of the government but should be handled by the private sector.
As the feud between Senator John Owan-Enoh and Bash Alli continues to escalate, the sports community eagerly awaits the outcome of this high-profile confrontation. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.