By Donata Mpochela
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi’s boxing is full of hardships as boxers survive at the mercy of promoters. No wonder most boxers have nothing to show when their career reaches the twilight, even after sweating so much in the ring.
Worse still, as most amateur boxers rush to turn professional due lack of international competitions and monetary rewards in the amateur ranks.
At its peak, promoters came to the limelight to touch their pockets and arrange fights for boxers for the game to get fatter and fatter for instance, the founder for Ngwenyama Boxing Promotion (MD), Patrick Ngwenyama says there is to no support in boxing especially in the facilities.
Ngwenyama said all they need a professional ring.
“We only have an amateur ring which 20 by 20 meters but what is really needed is 16 by 16 meters. So this makes us as promoters to struggle and arrange fights because most players end up not to participate in the games and this makes us to lose our customers,” Ngwenyama said.
He added: “Promoting boxing in Malawi is always at a loss. We do not benefit anything. We are doing it just for the love of the sport may be when we have sponsors in the future will be able to benefit from the game,” explained Ngwenyama.
To its sadness, most promoters have quit the job due lack of finances but still more, Malawi needs promoters who can really invest In the sport on a long-term basis not only for three or four fights.
In most cases, promoters organize fights just to make a quick buck from gate collections. In most fights, boxers are paid from gate collections. If the gate revenue is low, boxers do not get their full dues. The situation is pathetic.
When it comes to boxing materials and facilities, it is mayhem; in Malawi we do not have proper materials to suit the game.
Commenting on the matter, Malawi Boxing Association (MABA) General Secretary, Eria Kampinda said somehow Malawi boxing is at crossroads because they are potential amateur boxers.
“We have potential boxers in our country but what hinders them is because in Malawi we do not have good facilities. We do not have the standards or the state of art for boxing places that’s why we have M1 Centre, Robins Park in Blantyre and some other drinking joints.
“Look at Mzuzu, in the north there are no qualified facilities because since Obligado Leisure Center was closed it has been problems one after another because we do not have funding and government doesn’t fund us. So this retards boxing development in Malawi,” Kampinda said.
However, Northern Region Boxing Association Chairman, Wezi Mayiza said the state of boxing in the north is promising only that there is lack of funds.
“Government is supposed to fund us through Sports Council but as regional committee we are in the dark on funding amounts and expenditure.
“The funny thing is that, I for one don’t understand how transparent the government funding is distributed or spent because there is darkness in the way of funding Is being spent. Furthermore, our boxers even feel that regional committees misuse the funding while personally I have no Idea on funding,” He said.
He added that: “It is true in the north we do not have specific boxing venues since the Obligado Leisure Center was closed, but we are in contact with Mr. Msiska of Queen’s Park who has given us his yard as a boxing arena and we had a tournament there in March this year which was a success,”
In a separate interview, Prison Club Boxer, Vincent Nyirenda said boxing in the north is very challenging because there are no suitable boxing equipment.
“We do not have boxing pads, gums, boxing boots, gloves, and the rings we train or play on are too small. This is why finding it very difficult to perform on international games, our performances are always poor. All we need is serious sponsors,” Nyirenda said.
But, the outstanding female boxer, Agness Mtimaukanena Mwando said boxing lacks financial and moral support.
“As a woman, it hasn’t been an easy road to be in boxing. Besides that, we don’t really benefit from boxing, but I thank God that I had support from my manager Mr. Steven Msiska who made a lot of things happen and a lot of individuals and stakeholders,” She said.
Boxing is one of the sporting discipline that posses higher risks of monetary fund’s that has eventually lead to roughly the dying of the sport.
Commenting on the mater, Central Region Boxing Association Chair said lack of sponsorship is the main challenge they face.
“We don’t have funding from MABA to give us because they also say they are not given from Sports Council. In most cases, we take money from our pockets,” Mkwanda said.
According to the Boxing Referee and Judges Chairman, Amidu Shonga the sport is not active as a result referees and the boxers are idle.
“We are losing some experiences and rules are forgotten during the games because of the long stay for instance this coronovirus has hindered us a lot as a result, as the resume starts will need refresher courses to remind ourselves,” Shonga said.
However, the former seasoned boxing coach, Andy Muyaya said there is future in boxing looking at the amateur boxers because they are trained to be professional boxers but what is needed is to invest in boxing.
Upon speaking to one of the venue providers from M1 Center Point, Willy Kamala says there is future in boxing as a props to the positive response from the audience.
“People love the sport it’s only this covid-19 that has affected everything but otherwise there is future in boxing.
“Boxing is now at peak, so it is my wishes to see boxing in Malawi to one day revive just as other sporting activities. Things are now changing than before and this is why I love boxing to the extent that I see myself losing. I give it out for free,” Kamala said.