26 Jun 2023

Financial constraints remain a huge obstacle and the Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) is finding it difficult to undertake its planned activities and develop the sport.

An address by BoBA president, Gilbert Khunwane and comments from the affiliates at the annual general meeting held on Saturday, revealed how the association was in dire need.

Having to solely rely on the annual grant from Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) also remained its greatest demise and finding other ways of generating revenue remains a question for another day.

Khunwane told the meeting that the association was yet to receive its annual grant, which currently was its primary source of revenue and not nearly enough.

“In the past two financial years, BoBA was funded with P700 000 and the funding is gradually declining,” he regretted.

He indicated that this year, they managed to host only two inter-club boxing tournaments, failed to hold an ordinary general assembly in October last year, all because funds were insufficient.

“The boxing association is aspiring to grow the sport and empower athletes and impact positively on their livelihoods, but we are unable to do this because lack of funds is crippling our efforts,” he said.

He added that some of the pending projects included the review of the BoBA constitution and workshop for sport administrators.

Realising how the association was handicapped, Khunwane appealed to affiliates to consider prioritising implementation of critical projects.

France Mabiletsa of Tsholofelo Boxing Club was equally concerned about shortage of funds, therefore urged the association to find ways of using funds prudently.

“Conducting meetings virtually is one of the measures that could be used to cut costs. Face to face meetings are costly due to transport, accommodation, food, venue and other logistics,” Mabiletsa said.

Peter Tshenyego of SSKB Boxing Club was also worried about the future and growth of boxing, which he said were compromised by, among others, lack of activities, particularly tournaments and meetings where the association should communicate issues of concern and grow the sport. He also highlighted the need for the association to empower boxing administrators through training.

Choga Ntoti of Francistown Boxing Club said affiliates should be encouraged to make efforts to partake in inter-club tournaments instead of relying on the association, which was already cash-strapped.

He said his club had managed to be consistent and took part in all tournaments last year, adding that Francistown was ready to host an inter-club tournament.

Maun Boxing Club’s Hosea Chendo told the meeting that efforts were made to grow the sport in Ngamiland even though the club was equally affected by financial constraints.

“Some NGOs were willing to assist in the growth of sport in the area in an effort to fight social ills affecting the youth, but the partnership did not live up to the desired expectation as it looks like some individuals might be using sport to source funds for personal gain,” he said.

Responding to questions and comments, Khunwane acknowledged the use of technology as a measure to reduce spending.

He said even though some individuals, companies and other bodies were moving around asking for funds to grow the sport, as was the case with Maun, they must guard against fraudsters.

“Such cases must be referred to the association regulating body for vetting,” he said.  ENDS