By Donata Mpochela

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)– Malawi Boxing Association (Maba) failure to pay MK1.5 million affiliation fee to International Boxing Association (Aiba) leads participates not to receive certificates after five years coaching course organized by Maba.

Twenty-six participants attended the course held in Lilongwe and 21 passed.

However, those that passed cannot lead boxers in international bouts without certificates.

In an interview, national boxing coach Andy Muyaya, who was one of the participants, said it is demotivating that five years after the training, Maba is yet to provide the certificates.

“We are missing opportunities. It is sad that after conducting the training in 2015 Maba is yet to remit the payment to Aiba so that we should be given our certificates. This is very demotivating and questions our seriousness if we are to develop the sport,” he said.

Another participant, Mcbeth Wasambo said the certificate is important to show that one is a qualified coach.

“It is difficult to convince someone that I am a qualified boxing coach without a certificate. It is my plea that Maba should ensure that we get our certificates,” he said.

On his part, former boxer Perpetual Mkandawire who also attended the training, said it is difficult to progress to another level without the certificate.

“We were told that after two years we can progress to the next level. This cannot happen without the first certificate,” he said.

In an interview, Maba president Pyson Likagwa said the association has been making efforts to source the money.

“We are working on that. We have engaged various stakeholders including Malawi Olympic Committee and Malawi National Council of Sports to support us so that our coaches should get their certificates,” he said.