WINDHOEK – Secretary General of the Namibia Boxing Federation (NBF) Joe Kaperu has expressed great concern over the mushrooming of self-proclaimed boxing gurus who have made it their sole province to organize boxing events without the required sanction of the country’s boxing governing body.
Speaking at a press conference in the capital on Thursday, Kaperu said the NBF is well aware of local boxing administrators in various regions who have fallen into the shoddy habit of organizing boxing tournaments without the necessary approval of the federation, but he however made it crystal clear that the NBF would not tolerate such shenanigans to tarnish the good image of Namibian boxing in future.
Kaperu, without pulling any punches, called on all local boxing administrators using the name of the NBF to hastily end staging unsanctioned bouts as the NBF plans to leave no stone unturned in its quest to maintain a healthy Namibian boxing fraternity.
“Such practices are unacceptable and must be stopped. This is a firm warning to all those boxing administrators currently pocketing from unsanctioned fights or tournaments, because such tournaments put boxers’ lives in danger and Namibia could even be suspended by international boxing bodies. South Africa was recently suspended because of such tournaments that were hosted without their federation’s blessings,” warned Kapuru.
Kaperu urged administrators to first consult the NBF if they are to host boxing tournaments, because there are various aspects to consider before hosting a tournament, such as medics, security, sanction fees, amongst others.
By Otniel Hembapu