DR Congo are guaranteed to host the African Elite Boxing Championships for Men and Women in October this year in the capital city, Kinshasa.
This follows the withdrawal of Gabon, the only competitor remaining in the race for the organization of this prestigious AFBC competition, whilst Ghana did not submit a purported bid at all.
The Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) head of Communication Department, Lukelo Willilo, said now that Gabon have pulled out, DR Congo remaim the sole candidates to host the premier African boxing tournament.
“What remains now is just a formality for the AFBC headquarters to make the official announcement on the country to host the Africa Championships,” said Willilo, adding: “Ghana are also out because they didn’t submit their bid document other than sending a letter of intent.”
A letter from the Secretary-General of the Gabonese Boxing Federation, Paul Ilengou, confirmed the Central African country’s withdrawal.
The letter to AFBC read in part:
“Mr Secretary General, dear members of AFBC Board of Directors,
“Please find attached letter of withdrawal of candidacy from the Gabonese Boxing Federation.”
The head of the AFBC Competitions Commission, Solomon Kargbo, has welcomed this new development which now sets the pace for proper preparations to begin.
Kargbo will travel to Kinshasa next week accompanied by Mr. Willilo and AFBC Interim Secretary General Mr. Bililign Mekoya to meet the authorities of the Congolese government and the Congolese Boxing Federation to work on the establishment of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) as well as the publication of the Competition Handbook.
AFBC Communications