AIBA scrapes haunt NBF
A coaching course scheduled to take place in Windhoek next month is likely to be delayed by political controversies rocking the International Boxing Association.
Ongoing problems at the International Boxing Association, which has kept the AIBA acronym from when it was known as the Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur, have resulted in the postponement of funding towards the Namibia Boxing Federation (NBF).
The global boxing association has been tainted by political infighting and refereeing controversies which led to its suspension by the International Olympics Committee (IOC).
This means that all pending transactions from AIBA towards its members, including the NBF have been suspended.
Prior to the suspension, the Olympics Solidarity Commission was scheduled to fund the NBF through the Namibia National Olympics Committee (NNOC) and AIBA with N$140 000. The NBF prearranged to use the money for a 1-star coaching course from 12 to 25 March and other administrative training.
The local boxing federation was, however, informed by the NNOC that the transfer of the funds has been suspended because of the current troubles at AIBA.
NNOC secretary-general Joan Smit said: “I can confirm that the funding which had to be transferred from Olympic Solidarity Committee to the NBF, through AIBA, has been suspended. This is because of the current infighting which has tainted AIBA.”
Smit, however, appealed to the NBF to remain hopeful that the problems at AIBA will be fixed and its suspension will be lifted.
It has now become uncertain whether the coaching course will take place given the suspension of AIBA by the IOC.
AIBA has been rocked by infighting for months as their former president CK Wu was first provisionally suspended before stepping down late last year after a dispute with his executive committee.
AIBA named Uzbek Gafur Rahimov as its new interim president last Saturday, following the unexpected resignation of now former interim president Franco Falcinelli.
Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) chairperson Freddy Mwiya emphasised the importance of AIBA fixing its mess.
Mwiya said there is nothing the NSC can do for NBF at the moment, but hopes that AIBA can get its house in order.
NBF president Benjamin Rebang is optimistic that the coaching course will take place, even if the funding from the Olympics Solidarity Committee remains blocked.
“We have approached the ministry of sport for funding and we hope that their response will be a positive one.
“We actually need approximately N$840 000 to complete the entire program.
“The cost includes accommodation, the travelling of all NBF members from the regions and also the payment of instructors,” Rebang said. NBF spokesperson Robert Pendapala Haimambo has appealed to corporate Namibia to fund the boxing federation.
According to Haimambo, the federation has been knocking on doors and “will continue to seek for additional sponsorship”.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
The global boxing association has been tainted by political infighting and refereeing controversies which led to its suspension by the International Olympics Committee (IOC).
This means that all pending transactions from AIBA towards its members, including the NBF have been suspended.
Prior to the suspension, the Olympics Solidarity Commission was scheduled to fund the NBF through the Namibia National Olympics Committee (NNOC) and AIBA with N$140 000. The NBF prearranged to use the money for a 1-star coaching course from 12 to 25 March and other administrative training.
The local boxing federation was, however, informed by the NNOC that the transfer of the funds has been suspended because of the current troubles at AIBA.
NNOC secretary-general Joan Smit said: “I can confirm that the funding which had to be transferred from Olympic Solidarity Committee to the NBF, through AIBA, has been suspended. This is because of the current infighting which has tainted AIBA.”
Smit, however, appealed to the NBF to remain hopeful that the problems at AIBA will be fixed and its suspension will be lifted.
It has now become uncertain whether the coaching course will take place given the suspension of AIBA by the IOC.
AIBA has been rocked by infighting for months as their former president CK Wu was first provisionally suspended before stepping down late last year after a dispute with his executive committee.
AIBA named Uzbek Gafur Rahimov as its new interim president last Saturday, following the unexpected resignation of now former interim president Franco Falcinelli.
Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) chairperson Freddy Mwiya emphasised the importance of AIBA fixing its mess.
Mwiya said there is nothing the NSC can do for NBF at the moment, but hopes that AIBA can get its house in order.
NBF president Benjamin Rebang is optimistic that the coaching course will take place, even if the funding from the Olympics Solidarity Committee remains blocked.
“We have approached the ministry of sport for funding and we hope that their response will be a positive one.
“We actually need approximately N$840 000 to complete the entire program.
“The cost includes accommodation, the travelling of all NBF members from the regions and also the payment of instructors,” Rebang said. NBF spokesperson Robert Pendapala Haimambo has appealed to corporate Namibia to fund the boxing federation.
According to Haimambo, the federation has been knocking on doors and “will continue to seek for additional sponsorship”.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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