Good news for Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) member nations.
From next year, each of the 50-member federations of AFBC will be receiving an annual grant of $50,000 from the International Boxing Association (IBA).
AFBC President Eyassu Wossen Berhanu made the announcement at a press conference in Conakry, Guinea, on Saturday, December 16, ahead of Boxing For Africa contest.
Berhanu said the grant is in line with his manifesto in which he had promised to financially empower all the national federations affiliated to AFBC.
“This is just the beginning of my development plan, I held a fruitful meeting with IBA President Umar Kremlev in Dubai and he’s committed to support us,” said Berhanu.
“Before people did not want boxing to develop in Africa but I’m committed to take the sport to the next level, that’s why I decided to head the African body.
“We must therefore unite to move forward and avoid divisions. We’re one Africa.”
AFBC President Eyassu Wossen Berhanu handing over boxing equipment to Guinea’s Sports Minister Lansana Bea Diallo in Conakry
Berhanu also donated boxing equipment to the Guinea Boxing Federation, and assured all affiliates they’ll get their share because he knows lack of equipment is a big challenge to most of the national federations in Africa.
The equipment were received by Guinea’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Lonsana Bea Diallo and Guinea’s federation president, Alpha Amadou Balde who thanked the Sports Minister Diallo for playing a major role in the successful organisation of Fight For Africa contest that attracted some of the world’s top boxers such as Cuba’s two- time Olympic champion, Julio Cesar La Cruz and three-time world champion Sofiane Oumiha from France.
The grandson of legendary Muhammad Ali, Nico Ali Walsh, also featured in the card.
“This is the first event of its kind in Africa, and we’re sure it will inspire our youngsters in Guinea and Africa as a whole to take up boxing,” said Balde.
On his part, Sports Minister Diallo who is a former boxer himself, said he will team up with AFBC President Berhanu and other stakeholders to develop boxing in Africa.
“There’s a lot of potential in Africa but we must be united and speak with one voice to improve our standards,” said Diallo.
Credit: AFBC Communications
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