Boxing in South Africa could change for the better if Boxing SA (BSA) and its licensees lived up to the resolutions that were agreed upon during BSA’s two-day convention at Birchwood hotel over the weekend.
The inaugural conference went smoothly after fears that there could be ugly scenes from disgruntled licensees.
Speaking at the convention, Minister of Sport Ngconde Balfour, who appointed the seven-member BSA commission 18 months ago, reminded licensees that the convention was the proper platform to lay their cards on the table.
All provincial commissions were represented with the only disappointment being the poor attendance of boxers.
Mpush Makambi (South African middleweight champion), Leholohonolo Ledwaba (WBU featherweight holder) and Gauteng junior middleweight titlist John Tshabalala were the only fighters in attendance.
Acting CEO Krish Naidoo announced on Tuesday that BSA and its licensees had undertaken to achieve and implement the resolutions agreed upon.
Naidoo, who was officially appointed to the BSA board on Friday last week following the sudden resignation of Thabo Moseki on Wednesday, promised that BSA would implement the following:
- The minimum purse for boxers;
- Personal benefits for boxers and other role players;
- Develop a grading system for boxers;
- Develop a system to grade, pool and accredit ring officials;
- Standardise the process for movement of boxers overseas;
- Develop a code of conduct and a service-level agreement for ring officials;
- Ensure that promoters market tournaments and adhere to the minimum requirements relating to medical safety, security and quality shows;
- Formalise roles and reporting structures across the organisation and improve communication;
- Formalise associations of boxers, promoters, ring officials, managers and trainers, and provide administrative support to these associations; and
- Ensure accuracy of boxer records.
He added that BSA will undertake to investigate and subsequently report issues during 2004.
It will also:
- Report amendment of boxing regulations with a view to making it possible for legal refugees to box in South Africa;
- Look at a transfer system for boxers;
- Look at national colours for ring officials;
- Look at sponsors for ring officials;
- Award ring officials;
- Try to get insurance for ring officials when they commute top and from tournaments;
- Look at qualification and entry standards for amateur boxers who wish to box professionally;
- Create ways and means to improve cooperation among promoters, managers and trainers so that tournaments can be properly packaged for benefit of the public and other stakeholders;
- Appoint an ombudsman to resolve disputes and reconcile differences that may arise in professional boxing from time to time; and
- Negotiate an arrangement with promoters to enable spouses of ring officials to attend tournaments.
With regard to provincial structures, BSA will implement the arrangement achieved between itself and provincial structures at the convention to ensure that professional boxing is delivered in an efficient manner. — Sapa