03 Jul 2018

Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) stakeholders have been informed that the International Boxing Association (AIBA) has made some changes so as to comply with IOC recommendations including progress in the issue of governance.

Last year, IOC suspended their funds to AIBA until it submits a plan to address its governance and financial issues.

IOC also wanted AIBA to provide a report on six areas, governance, management, financial status, judging, refereeing and anti-doping.

They were given until January 31 to have submitted all the requirements.

As such, BoBA president, Dr Thato Patlakwe told delegates at the association’s Annual General Assembly recently that AIBA found it imperative to make some changes to comply.

He said AIBA Executive Committee Bureau held a meeting in Dubai on June 3, where various topics were discussed, which included amongst others, the upcoming Youth Men’s and Women’s World Championships.

For this important AIBA event, he said, it had been agreed to increase the quota per continent to offer more places to youth around the world.

Dr Patlakwe said the decision was aimed at giving an extra push to the development of young boxers worldwide.

“This is something that I am proud to support because I truly believe that youth are the foundation of our sport and we at BoBA, must place young athletes and grassroot development at the core of our future. And this starts by fully committing to helping our young athletes throughout their journey, from grassroot to elite level, and giving them the experience and best possible conditions in which to compete,” he said.

Other important issues raised during the meeting was gender equality in AIB.

He added that recently, AIBA announced the successful implementation of new policies in favour of gender equality in boxing.

“This is a point that is of utmost importance for me as the president of BoBA by nurturing and promoting female boxers and leaders in our sport, in and out of the ring. We will also ensure that we continue to develop our sport for the future,” he said.

On other issues, Dr Patlakwe said BoBA would be send a team of four athletes to compete in the Mandela Cup to be held in Port Elizabeth from the July 17-25.

The team comprises of three male athletes; Rajab Otukile  Mahommed of Mafika (52), George Molwantwa of BMC (56), Treasure Moremi of DTCB (60) and one female athlete, Lethabo Modukanele of UB (48).

He said the team would be led by Lechedzani Luza, assisted by Choga Ntoti.

Also, he said they would send referees and judges to gain international exposure.

On Tokyo 2020 and beyond, he said the Olympics were approaching and as BoBA they should have a concrete plan as to how to arrive there.

“We have to fully implement our programme that will ensure that our boxers are engaged and competing more frequently to give them exposure and the needed experience. This will mean that the national team representatives will be selected based on quality, discipline, commitment, full participation in our tournaments as well as good performance both locally and internationally,” he said. ENDS