By Tiyese Monjeza:
Some boxers in the Southern Region have lamented lack of competitive bouts.
The boxers have said the absence of such fights is denying them the chance to hone their skills.
Blantyre-based Wyson Dick and Roy Yuda of Zomba expressed concern that the corporate world was not showing interest in the sport.
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“We, as boxers, have gone without playing competitive boxing for close to a year. We believe this is not good for anyone who wants to develop in the game. All this is because we do not have sponsorship,” Yuda said.
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Dick and Yuda made the remarks on Saturday at China Complex in Zomba where Malawi Boxing Association (Maba) Treasurer Arthur Makwera launched a boxing tournament.
The two boxers featured in a six-round main bout that ended in a draw.
“We are, therefore, appealing to the cooperate world to pump funds into boxing. Our country has good boxers who can make it at international level but they are lacking competitive fights that would help them improve their skills and take their game to another level,” Dick said.
He said lack of sponsorship was leading some boxers to opt for other sports disciplines that are active throughout the year.
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Yuda added that boxers spend a lot of money on training and that it was worrisome that some of them do not have fights for a whole year.
“But we just have to find ways of keeping going. Otherwise, we cannot allow our sport to die just like that. We are, therefore, appealing to boxing lovers to find means of helping us to have bouts regularly,” he said.
Makwera said Maba had been engaging companies for sponsorship.
“The country’s economy has not been favourable to business operators, which makes it hard for companies to support boxing competitions.
“However, we are hopeful that more sponsors will come forward to support the sport this year,” he said.
