Tensions are brewing in Namibia’s boxing fraternity after promoters and other stakeholders criticised the Namibia Boxing and Wrestling Control Board for introducing new licensing fees and procedures without proper consultation.
The controversy follows a communication circulated by the board’s boxing administrator, Janine Van Wyk, on the instructions of board chairperson Anita Tjombe, reminding stakeholders that the deadline for submitting licence applications is 2 April at 12h00.
The notice also outlined revised annual licensing fees across various categories, including N$200 for professional boxers, N$1 000 for referees, judges, trainers and other officials, and N$2 500 for promoters, managers and matchmakers.
Temporary licences for foreign participants were listed at N$2 000.
However, several boxing promoters and stakeholders say the process has been rushed and lacks transparency, arguing that no consultation meeting was held before the new requirements were introduced.
Boxer Hedison Bulelo Nghipondoka criticised the board for what he described as a short timeframe and a lack of stakeholder engagement.
“The timeframe is too short and the office failed to inform us on time. No meeting was conducted and we did not agree on the licence format. In Namibia, we use regions, but the form refers to provinces,” he said.
Nghipondoka further suggested that the board should convene a meeting with promoters, trainers and managers to discuss the changes.
“This is not a proper way of leading people. They should invite all promoters, trainers and managers and address them directly so that everyone can express their concerns,” he added.
Concerns were also raised about the requirement that promoters provide bank statements reflecting a balance of N$100 000 or a financial guarantee from a sponsor.
Critics such as Gideon Amaambo argue that such requirements could create unnecessary barriers for new promoters.
“Boxing promotion is a business, but requiring a bank statement with N$100 000 before a licence is issued raises questions. Sponsors normally support an event after a promoter has a licence, so these requirements need to be reconsidered,” Amaambo said.
Prominent Namibian boxing administrator Kelly Nghixulifwa also weighed in, warning that any adjustments to licence fees should comply with the legal framework governing professional boxing in Namibia.
“Professional boxing is regulated under an Act of Parliament, and any changes to fees should be gazetted to allow affected parties an opportunity to respond or challenge the decision, if necessary,” Nghixulifwa said.
On the other hand, local boxing promoter and owner of AC Boxing Academy, Immanuel Moses, said that introducing new procedures or requirements without prior consultation raises serious concerns among promoters, trainers and athletes who are directly affected by such decisions.
Moses called on the board to urgently convene a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss the proposed changes and ensure transparency in the decision-making process.
“We believe that transparency, inclusivity and cooperation are key to building a strong and sustainable boxing framework in Namibia,” he said.