Pro boxers hold inaugural meeting
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday January 14, 2016 11:58
PBAB secretary general, Willoughby Kemoen said the meeting is meant to present an approved constitution and certified certificate from the Registrar of Societies to the general membership.
He told Mmegi Sport yesterday the meeting is also meant to fill up some positions in the executive committee. He said Shakes Kebuwalemang occupies the position of PBAB president and he is unopposed at the moment. He said Isaac Pheko and Marx Nthusang are contesting the position of vice president. Other positions that will be filled are that of additional members, treasurer and marketing. Kemoen said delegates include; promoters, professional boxers, judges, referees, tournament supervisors, boxing administrators and match makers.
“We are going to look into the numbers of affiliates we have because the intention is to become members of the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC), World Boxing Federation, Africa Boxing Federation, International Boxing Federation and Commonwealth Boxing Federation,” he said.
Kemoen said years back, boxers were retiring from amateur boxing after representing the country in international competitions as there was nothing else they could do.
He said talent was lost and the boxers remained unemployed. He said some had to relocate to other countries to pursue professional boxing.
Kemoen said such boxers also faced a challenge of being unlicensed. He said BNSC does not deal with professional sport and that was a challenge hence the idea of establishing PBAB. He said at first, they had formed a Local Control Board, which included BNSC and Department of Sports and Recreation.
He said the body was not effective and did not benefit boxers.
Kemoen said they are going to establish a secretariat that will have a role in licensing boxers and officials.
He said many amateur boxers have shown interest in turning professional.
He said the new body will create employment for the boxers.