Uproar over Pro Boxing P500,000 grant

Calistus Kolantsho | Monday October 20, 2025 06:00

For the first time since its inception in 2016, the pugilism body got a P500,000 grant from the Ministry of Sport and Arts (MOSA). However, the improved subvention has caused uproar amongst the promoters, with some feeling they received less amounts whilst others go large sums of money. According to information reaching MmegiSport, the concerned stables are Top 10 Boxing Promotions and DRAD Boxing Promotions. A source said when enquiries were made on the distribution of the grant, they were informed that a new funding model was used.

It is said the model was agreed upon by the promoters in the last meeting.

The source further argued that when they requested to see a copy of the model, the executive committee refused to provide it.

“They sent us an application form, which we completed and sent back. The requirements in the form are surprising because they only focus on the previous events, those that were held 36 months ago.

“There is no focus on budget estimations for future events,” a source added.

The form requires promoters to specify the event they had hosted, the total number of bouts, the number of women's bouts, attendance and target audience.

It also required the applicants to state the event’s objectives (briefly outlining purpose and expected outcomes of the hosted events), budget breakdown per event, the total budget and the promoter’s own contribution.

The form also needed the promoters to cost the venue hire, boxers' fees, security, marketing and promotion. They should also state the number of events previously organised.

Top 10 director, Isaac Pheko, told MmegiSport that he has submitted a complaint letter to the executive committee raising issues regarding the funding model.

For his part, Bond Ngubula of Bond Promotions said it was surprising that some promoters are complaining about the funding model despite a resolution from a meeting that they attended.

He said the tier-system model is the same as the one that is used by the Botswana National Sport Commission.

Meanwhile, PBAB president, Seroba Binda said when it comes to money, people will always complain, and it does not come as a surprise to have some promoters complaining about their share.

“Money will always be money. It is an obvious case that we will have disgruntled promoters, but I have not received a complaint letter in my office; maybe it is still with the relevant office. Obviously, it is still an internal matter.

“For now, I do not have a copy of the funding model to share with you because I was not part of the process.

“We had appointed a team that was dealing with the model, and it was presented to the promoters; there was no opposition to it. The funding model was discussed with our promoters before implementation,” he said.

Binda said they have always been receiving grants, but this time around, they got lucky and received something better.

He said Top 10 is the only promotions company that has complained, adding that DRAD cannot complain because they did not attend the meeting.

He said the funding is performance-based based not membership-based.

“Which money are they complaining about, because they have not done anything? What is it in the funding model that they did not understand? Why did they not challenge the funding model upon consultation?” Binda asked.