By Draxon Maloya
The Malawi Amartuer Boxing Association (MABA) says it would engage the International Boxing Association (IBA) to consider assisting member associations with some financial renumeration packages for them to withstand challenges emanating from the effects of covid-19 shutdown on sporting activities.
MABA chairperson, Fyson Likagwa expressed these sentiments in an interview on one of the local radio chanels, Zodiak Broadcasting Services (ZBS)Likagwa said, covid-19 has greatly affected the programs and would love if IBA could consider emulating the good gesture shown by the world soccer governing body (FIFA) in disbursing some financial packages to member football governing bodies
“Covid-19 shutdown on sporting events has greatly affected our programs, we shall be meeting and see how Botswana boxing festival slated for May this year will be handled,
“We shall put a request acroos for the IBA to consider emulating an example rendered by FIFA which has disbursed packages to country governing bodies, so with this drought at least International Boxing Association should bail out member associations so as to meet some requirements,” Likagwa said.
And commenting on the realities of covid-19 effects, the Malawi Boxing Control Board chairperson, Lonzo Zimba also lamented on the time frame in which professional boxers should keep their championship belts, saying they can’t snatch them without a bout.
“Everything has been stopped by the Boxing Control Board, so we cannot snatch the belts from the professional boxers though the period to keep them has expired, professional boxing is a trade so let the boxers keep them, and we shall soon meet for World Boxing Council (WBC) annual general meeting where all these issues shall be discussed,” Zimba said.
With the Relief fund the Football Associations of Malawi (FAM) got from FIFA, it has set a Mk350 million fund to support players and officials during these financial difficult times of the covid-19 pandemic whereby players and officials will be entitled to a modest monthly stipend beginning from June.