Malawi Boxing Association breathes sigh of relief
Malawi Boxing Association (Maba) has breathed a sigh of relief after receiving K1.3 million donation from Malawi Olympic Committee (Moc) to cover for its trip to Zambia.
Maba has used the money to send an 11-member squad to Lusaka, for regional camping with boxers from the hosting country, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Maba President, Pyson Likagwa, said the support was timely as the association intends to impress at next month’s 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers set for Senegal.
“The money will cater for accommodation, fuel and food. I have released my mini bus to ensure that the team travels to Zambia,” he said.
In Zambia, the squad will use better facilities while training under the guidance of top trainers.
“It is a regional arrangement to ensure that our boxers do well during Tokyo Olympics qualifiers. They will have chance to spar with different boxers thereby learning on styles, guarding and weaving. Above all they will also take part in non-title bouts,” Likagwa said.
One of Malawian trainers accompanying the squad, Andy Muyaya, said he was impressed with the development of the squad.
“They are young boxers but most of them are eager to learn more. So far their performance has been encouraging. The trip is important because we will have chance to assess them and develop further training plan,” he said.
Meanwhile, Moc Treasurer, Henry Sakala, could neither confirm nor deny supporting Maba.
“I know that the boxers are supposed to leave today [yesterday]. However, information regarding funding it has to come through the General Secretary. It is just unfortunate that your call isn’t being answered,” he said.
The squad consists of Alick John, Lyton Kabulika, Charles Mchombo, Snowden Munyanje, Harvey Nkacha [not the footballer], Yamikani Mtambo, Maxwell Banda, Ibrahim Jafali and Hajila Simani.
