Foreign-based boxers complain of neglect

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Thursday November 12, 2009 00:00

 

The boxers registered their complaint in Gaborone yesterday during a meeting with Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Keletso Rakhudu. They said that since moving abroad, the BNSC has not supported them through its Local Controlling Body (LCB). Peter Pilane, Dintwa Sloca, Boysie Francis, Daniel Mookodi, Seroba Binda, Mothusi Olebile and Hebert Nkabiti said that BNSC has virtually neglected them and the LCB is doing little to help professional boxers. Former professional, Thuso Khubamang who has been the boxers' acting manager and promoter locally, led the group to the meeting with Rakhudu.

After the meeting, Sloca told Mmegi Sport that they have tried to raise their concerns with the LCB in vain. He said this forced them to meet Rakhudu who has supported boxers over the years. The boxers want the Gaborone North MP to take their concerns to the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Culture.

Sloca said that although they were plying their trade abroad, they wanted to be appreciated at home. He said with the formation of the LCB, boxers thought that there will be professional boxing bouts in Botswana. He accused LCB of making life difficult for the boxers whenever they proposed staging international bouts in the country.

'They demand things that even the BNSC with all its resources cannot provide. For instance, the requirement of promoters insuring boxers before fights is ridiculous because our stables already insure some of us. It is not easy to get insurance for boxers per fights. The other thing is that although we are based in South Africa, we believe that local fans deserve to see more of us on home soil and the only way is to organise fights here (Botswana),' Sloca said.

Nkabiti echoed the same sentiments saying they have been forgotten since moving down South. He said it was appalling that the LCB showed little commitment towards the welfare of the foreign-based boxers.

'This LCB was formed to look after the interests of professional boxers and that should include helping them secure fights because without a fight, a professional boxer is as good as dead. Rather we are faced with tough regulations which are scaring away possible sponsors. If someone could at least call me to check how I am doing since I have turned professional, that would be greater,' Nkabiti said.

BNSC executive secretary, Kitso Kemoeng defended the LCB saying its mandate is to ensure that boxers are not ripped-off and their safety is taken care of. 'When the LCB was formed, it was never meant to grow anybody's career. Turning professional is an individual's decision and organising fights is also his responsibility. We only come in to scrutinise the contracts signed between the boxers and the promoters to ensure that they are not cheated. The LCB makes sure that the boxers get what they are promised in the contract, but they do not negotiate a better deal for them,' Kemoeng said. He stated that the LCB was formed after one local boxer was paid R700 after a professional fight and the BNSC was accused of failing to prevent exploitation. He said insurance is compulsory and there is nowhere a fighter can get into the ring without one. 'If we do not insist on insurance for boxers during such fights, who would take the responsibility if our boxers die on the ring? We need doctors by the ring to take care of boxers and the government made this demand. Promoters do not want to pay insurance for the boxers and I believe boxers should not compromise their safety as much as they are desperate for fights,' Kemoeng said.