Pro-boxing committee election postponed

Calistus Kolantsho | Monday January 18, 2016 14:16

Tsietsi Kebualemang giving speech during professional boxing association of Botswana AGM.PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

PBAB secretary general, Willoughby Kemoen said the election could not proceed because the affiliates did not attend the meeting due to various reasons. He said electing a committee is critical as PBAB wants to apply for Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) affiliation.

He said the election will be held at a later date. He added they already know members who are interested in contesting for various positions.

In his inaugural speech, president elect, Tsietsi Kebualemang said it has taken a long time for the association to be registered and they finally received the certificate and approval from the Registrar of Societies in October.

He said the association came at a time when BNSC Act had been reviewed and accommodates professional sport.

He said boxing is the first sport in the country to turn professional. He said cries of exploitation from local boxers by foreigners persisted and calls for the establishment of local professional boxing structure intensified. “Unconfirmed reports had it that one local boxer was paid not more than R700 and this caused an outcry from the sporting fraternity that locals should be protected from exploitation by foreigners,” he said. Kebualemang said they want PBAB to be recognised under the BNSC Act. He said they also want to affiliate to the Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC), a supreme body and partner with other professional boxing organisations such as International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association and Africa Boxing Federation.

Kebualemang said people who will be elected into office should be respectable, honest and loyal. He said PBAB is yet to establish a vision, mission statement, values and set up a strategic plan.

He said they intend to apply for government grant and solicit sponsorship. Kebualemang said promoters from neighbouring countries are now allowed to come and promote fights in Botswana or partner with locals.

Meanwhile, Bond Ngubula of Bond Promotions said they had long waited for the establishment of the PBAB. He said they are hopeful that the body will make their job easier. Another promoter, Isaac Pheko said it was high time amateur boxers consider turning professional.