Mujib Philips, a medalist in the boxing event at the just-concluded Ibile Games, died on Saturday in the swimming pool at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park in Yaba, Lagos.
Philips, who won a gold medal at the Ibile Games, hosted by the Lagos State Government to showcase talented athletes in local governments areas in the state, died during the Boxing Hall of Fame championship event, which holds every last Saturday of the month.
The boxer was confirmed dead by the medical doctor in charge of the Lagos State Sports Council, Dr. Akin George, who also invited the state’s emergency ambulance service, LASAMBUS.
“The body of the deceased would be taken to the appropriate place for a post mortem examination to determine the cause of his death,” George said.
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Manager of the swimming pool, Rahaman Fadugba, said that he was not around when the boxer came to the pool, but disclosed, however, that security guards had challenged the medalist when he came to the pool side.
“I was told the security guards challenged him at the gate, and he told them that he was one of the boxers for the Hall of Fame event and a Lagos State champion,” Fadugba said.
“I ordered some of the divers at the swimming pool, who then went under the water and brought his body out from the water immediately. I sent for the doctor”
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One of the divers, Idowu Ephanus, said that the deceased jumped into the deepest part of the pool around 3:30 p.m., and it was later discovered that his body was not found on the water.
“We immediately jumped inside the water and brought him out, and immediately invited the doctor to the sports centre, who on arrival certified him dead,” Ephanus said.
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