Paul Onwuachi, former national coach, Nigeria Amateur Boxing Association (NABA), said lack of exposure was the bane of Nigerian boxers at the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing, Lagos' local media reported Monday.

Onwuachi stated this in Lagos, Nigeria economic hub, adding that the team did not have adequate exposure to earn them any medal at the Games.

According to him, there was no proper assessment of their skills through competition.

He said the boxers ought to have jetted out to Europe immediately to start preparations through competitions with other countries but they did not do so.

He added that the boxers were not to blame for their dismal outing as they would not have performed magic, noting that their poor performance should be a lesson for the country to prepare adequately for international competitions.

Eleven boxers went for Olympic qualifiers in Namibia but only four boxers struggled to get tickets to represent Nigeria at the 29th Olympic Games.

The boxers are Rasheed Lawal (60kg), Izobo Dauda (81kg), Lanre Durodola (91kg) and Onorede Ehwareme (+ 91kg).

(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2008)