How Imo State Boxer, Chukwuemeka Inanugo Died - Delta State Govt.

How Imo State Boxer, Chukwuemeka Inanugo Died - Delta State Govt.

Delta State government has described former Imo State boxer, late Chukwuemeka Inanugo as a national hero while explaining what led to his death at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Asaba, reports BSNSports.com.ng 

The Chairman of Media and Publicity of the Games, Charles Aniagwu on Wednesday evening at Media Centre in Asaba while briefing journalists covering the ongoing fiesta insisted that Delta State provided more than enough human and medical facilities that could arrest such an unfortunate incident. 

"We lost an athlete who was participating in the festival. He is from Team Imo and his name is Chukwuemeka Ibanugo. By records, he is 25 years old representing the state in the 81kg category boxing event."

"You have all seen the medical centre even here in this arena, you have also seen the number of ambulances. The same kind of facility is replicated in all our game centres. Now at the event where the boxing took place, we have ringside medical personnel that usually check whether the boxer is fit to continue the fight. A day before the fight, he came and was examined by the medical team his blood pressure (BP) was not normal and he was asked to leave."

" Thereafter, he returned and after a while, it was discovered that his BP was normal but was asked to come again for another test and by the time the game started, they discovered that he had a little bleeding from his nose. The medics wanted to stop the fight but of course, he was desirous of victory because if he stopped it at that time, his opponent had won".

"His coach and his team were also desirous of victory not knowing that other development may have occurred internally. But at this time, it's suggested that possibly what they called intracranial bleeding may have occurred by the time punching came and possibly led to some bleeding internally on his head. If it were to be a stroke, it is called an Emoralic Stroke in which the blood flows into the brain and it does take a long for such a person to pass on. 

"He was immediately rushed to the clinic with an ambulance to Asaba Hospital and at that time, he passed on. We were so pained, grief and as organizers of this event, we did all that we could. He wanted to be patriotic and he died not only for Imo State but for the entire nation."

Thereafter, a minute silence was observed for the departed hero and prayers were made for the reposed of the dead to rest in peace. 

The 21st edition of the National Sports Festival started on 28th November and will end on Saturday, 10th December 2022.