Good news for African boxers.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) have assured boxers taking part in the Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) Men and Women’s Championships in Maputo they’ll laugh all the way to the bank.
Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) President, Bertrand Mendouga said the international federation is committed to uplifting boxing standards in Africa during IBA’s International Boxing Day in DR Congo’s capital Kinshasa on August 27.
“IBA President Umar Kremlev has assured us of his full backing including prize money at our championships in Maputo,” said a jovial Mendouga.
“This is the beginning of a new era in Africa boxing, we’re planning to bring on board mega sponsors to ensure we improve our standards through more tournaments and incentives for our boxers starting with our premier event in Maputo,” he added.
Gold medallists in Maputo will earn $10,000, silver medallists $5000 and $2,500 for bronze medallists.
Mendouga led IBA International Boxing Day celebrations in Kinshasa.
He was accompanied by among others AFBC board member, Lukelo Willilo from Tanzania, Ethics Committee chairman, David Pina from Angola and Head of President’s office in Yaounde, Kalong Andre Basil
Left to right: Ethics Committee chairman David Pina from Angola, AFBC board member Lukelo Willilo from Tanzania, DRC Sports Minister Serge Nkande, AFBC president Bertrand Mendouga, DRC Boxing Federation president General Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo and head of president’s office in Yaounde Kalong Andre Basil
Willilo said IBA President, Kremlev hailed DR Congo’s federation for hosting the colourful event.
Said Willilo:”It was a big day for our boxing family in Africa. IBA was very grateful to DRC Sports Minister Serge Nkonde and DRC Boxing Federation President General Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo for successfully hosting the important day in boxing. I’m happy to announce that IBA President has accepted our invitation to attend our continental event in Maputo.
“The DRC Sports Minister will also grace the occasion during the closing ceremony. This one will be an event to remember in the history of boxing in Africa. We want to assure our members things will never be the same again.”
DRC Boxing Federation President, General Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo thanked IBA’s boss Kremlev for supporting African boxing, and called for unity among AFBC member federations to speed up boxing development on the continent.
Luyoyo is one of the candidates vying for AFBC board of director’s position in the upcoming elections in Maputo to fill the three remaining slots.
“I’m appealing to the delegates to vote wisely for capable board members with boxing at heart and integrity,” said Luyoyo.
“With our new able team, the sky is now the limit, and l’m ready to make my contribution in this new dawn in Africa boxing.”
Flamboyant Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) President, Moses Muhangi also attended the celebrations, and later in the evening sampled Kinshasa’s night life dancing to the throbbing beats of Lingala music to the wee hours.
The AFBC Championships start on September 9 in Maputo. Over 30 countries have so far confirmed participation.
Credit: Nenez Media Services
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