How we are using Boxing to Kick against Drug Abuse in Challenged communities.
According to expert reports in Nigeria, 54% of drug addicts in the country are adolescents, 18 years and below.
Let that sink in.
More than half of those battling addiction are kids… children who should be in school, discovering their talents, building dreams, not fighting for their lives.
Every day, young boys and girls, especially those in challenged communities, are exposed to substances like codeine, tramadol, loud, crack, and other dangerous drugs, often introduced by older peers or street influences.
In places where poverty is loud and hope is silent, the streets become a trap… and many fall into the grip of The Big D – Drugs.
Yesterday, We Fought Back.
In the historic town of Ibadan, under the bridge at Molete, something powerful happened.
We used boxing to kick drugs off the street.
Crowds gathered.
Young boys and girls showed up.
Energy filled the air.
And the sweet science, boxing, once again became a tool for transformation.
This event was led by our incredible Gloves for Africa Ambassador in Oyo State, Coach Ganiyu Oladayo, who has taken it upon himself to bring boxing directly to the streets, where the fight truly is.
Because if we don’t meet these kids where they are…
we may lose them to a world that doesn’t care if they survive.
Together, We Raised Our Voices
We had representatives from:
👉 ISSUP (International Society of Substance Use Professionals)
👉 NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency)
They spoke directly to the youths, not from a distance, not from textbooks, but heart to heart:
The consequences of drug abuse
How addiction destroys dreams
How one wrong choice can end a sports career
Why protecting the mind and body is the only way to become a true champion
The kids listened.
They asked questions.
Some opened up about their struggles.
Hope began to breathe again.
This Is Why Gloves for Africa founded by Chuks Uwaechia Shows Up
Because for many of these kids, boxing is the only light they see.
A place where:
🥊 Discipline replaces distraction
🥊 Focus replaces fear
🥊 Confidence replaces confusion
🥊 Brotherhood replaces bad influence
🥊 Dreams replace drugs
We will continue to stand with them.
We will continue to fight for them.
We will continue to bring boxing, and hope to every corner that needs it.