Windhoek
Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service Jerry Ekandjo yesterday announced the appointment of new board members for the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (NPBWCB) after the previous board’s term of office expired in March.
The new appointees, who will steer the NPBWCB ship for the next three years have replaced the board’s old guards, Kelly Nghixulifwa (former chairperson), Ambrosius Kandjii, Ellison Hijarunguru, Dr Shitaleni Herman and prominent local lawyer Slow Murorua.
As per the powers vested in him by the Boxing Act of 1980 under Section (4) sub-section (1) and (2), the minister retained the services of Hijarunguru, who will now be the chairperson of the new board.
Under Hijarunguru – who was vice-chairperson of the old board – the new board will now consist of Dr Kenny Hepundjua (a medical doctor), Ronald Kurtz (a lawyer), Victoria Hamunyela (a financial and marketing expert) and Philip Mwandingi (labour consultant).
In his desire to see more Namibian boxers rated among the best in the world, Ekandjo called on the new board to make sure they review NPBWCB’s old Act, which dates back to 1980 and hopefully suggest amendments that would provide leeway for more pugilists to practice their trade professionally and in well-organised structures.
“With your expertise, I’m confident that you will work hard to improve boxing in this country. I expect you to be fair in your handling of boxing issues,” he said. On the outdated Act that still governs the sport, the minister revealed that the previous board had made significant strides in drafting a new Act.
“We have a blueprint of a new Act, which is still at the technical level of development. Once we have completed all the consultations, we will take it to Cabinet for approval. The old Act still talks about South West Africa in reference to Namibia and refers to the administrator general, which we assume is the minister. Clearly it needs to go,” he added.
Hijarunguru, who is the longest serving boxing board member, thanked the minister on behalf of all the board members. “We’re grateful for the trust and belief you have shown in appointing us to the board of the Boxing Control Board. We promise to work hard and improve boxing and we will not disappoint you,” he said.
– Additional reporting: Nampa