Female boxers to form own committee

Female boxers in Malawi are in the process establishing a committee to promote the sport among them.

But the move has received resistance from the Malawi Boxing Association (Maba), which argues that it will be duplicating duties of the Female Boxing Committee headed by boxing referee Salome Manyau.

Speaking on Tuesday during training at Pro Fitness Gym in Blantyre, eight female boxers, including prominent pugilist Agnes Mtimaukanena, said they want to develop from being mere curtain-raisers of men’s bouts.

“Of course, we are aware there is Female Boxing Committee under Maba, but our committee will be unique in that it will strive to lobby for corporate support towards female boxing bouts and encourage more girls to join the sport,” said Mtimaukanena.

Some of the female boxers supporting the idea of the new committee are Ruth Nyirenda and Chimwemwe Qaba (Mzuzu), Enelesi Khwanti (Lilongwe), Bertha Hosea (Mchinji) and Elizabeth Nota (Blantyre).

However, Maba vice-president Henry Sakala said there is no need for the female boxers committee.

“We cannot have two committees for women running as parallel entities because that will create confusion. If the boxers have ideas that can uplift their boxing standards, they should just work with the already established committee,” said Sakala.

However, National Professional Boxing Control Board (NPBCB) president Lozoe Zimba said under international boxing rules female boxers are free to form parallel committees for their welfare.