Boxing bodies appeal for minister’s support on rings

Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board (MPBCB) has asked newly-appointed Minister of Youth and Sports Ulemu Msungama to help them procure boxing rings and other boxing equipment.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, MPBCB president Lonzoe Zimba said it is unfortunate that the country has no standard boxing rings.

He said: “Our expectation from the new minister is that he should ensure that the country should have boxing rings. As a professional boxing body, we are not looking for any allocation, but to see that the government has procured at least three rings [one for each region].”

On his part, Malawi Boxing Association (Maba) vice-president Francis Kadzakalowa said lack of rings is affecting the sport in the country.

He said his association presented K20 million budget to government through Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) for the rings.

“Shortage of rings is the biggest challenge for us. It is our hope that the new minister will consider lobbying for the approval of  funds that we have requested so that we should procure new rings,” said Kadzakalowa.

On his part, national lightweight champion Israel Kam’mwamba said most of the local boxers lose international bouts due to lack of equipment, especially standard rings.

“It is an embarrassment to the nation. We are aware that government provides a lot of money to football why are they are failing to buy rings for us?” he wondered.

The minister said he was aware of lack of sports facilities in the country.

Said Msungama: “I want to work with all sport disciplines and not just football or netball. I want to ensure that sport disciplines such as boxing should also get adequate financial subventions because what they are allocated now is too little.”