Nigerian boxers will qualify for the Beijing Olympics, first Vice President of the Nigeria Amateur Boxing Association (NABA), Brig.-Gen. Ola Ayeni, said in Lagos on Thursday.

Ayeni said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the boxers traveling to Namibia for the Olympic qualifiers would do well.

He said his conviction was based on the calibre of the boxers currently in camp, who were carefully selected at the national tournament in Abeokuta last month.

He attributed Nigeria's poor showing at the 9th All Africa Games in Algiers last year to poor selection and inadequate preparation.

He added that the association had learnt from that mistake. He said seasoned coaches were in charge of the boxers now in camp.

Ayeni said he hopes that officiating at the March 20 to April 4 qualifiers would be fair.

(Xinhua News Agency February 22, 2008)