BoBA grant slashed by 10 percent
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday June 28, 2016 15:25
Making his presentation on the grant allocation at the BoBA annual general meeting over the weekend, treasurer Frank Chikudzi said the sum was cut as funding did not improve even for other codes.
He said the cuts did not only affect BoBA. He said out of the P900,000 they have received, they have already spent P393, 435.78 and the remainder is P506, 574.22.
The affiliates were informed that the BoBA national championship, which is the flagship event of the association, will be held again this year without a sponsor.
For his part, BoBA president, Dr Thato Patlakwe said the funding the association received was insufficient. He said they are in the process of meeting the BNSC to request them to increase the grant by P100,000.
The president said it was crucial for the association to come up with ways of attracting sponsors. Patlakwe said seeking sponsorship should not only be the executive committee’s responsibility.
“It is high time affiliates assisted us with ideas on how to find a sponsor. We have been trying to find companies that can assist boxing with no luck,” he said.
He said 33% of BoBA budget is channelled towards development.
Meanwhile, Patlakwe spoke at length about the importance of transformation and development in boxing. He said the two areas should remain a priority for BoBA. He said change has to take place from the grassroots and that means it has to start at school and club levels.
“I believe clubs should have key focus on school boxing sport as a starting point towards the long journey of sustainable and transformed boxing,” said Patlakwe.
BoBA sports development officer, Healer Modiradilo said people are no longer taking boxing seriously as standards have dropped.
“I came back to boxing to assist you. There is no commitment from the national team boxers and coaches. It is up until you change the way you do things that we can be viewed as a serious code,” he said.
Modiradilo said coaches have a tendency of not attending trainings and only meet boxers during tournaments.