Mandatory Covid-19 testing for boxers

Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board (MPBCB) has ordered Covid-19 compulsory testing for all its boxers amid increased number of cases in the country.

As of yesterday, there were 2 261 Covid-19 cases with 33 deaths and 379 recoveries.

In an interview on Saturday, MPBCB general secretary Gibson Chisale said as controlling body for professional boxing, their role includes health and safety of their members; hence, the move.

“With the rising number of cases, we are taking extra caution and effective July 1, we have enforced mandatory testing,” he said.

While commending the boxing body for enforcing compulsory Covid-19 testing, health rights activist George Jobe said some areas need to be looked into such as provision of  incentives to boxers that will be sent on quarantine after testing positive.

“This is a welcome initiative. However, the body is silent on what incentives they will provide to those that will test positive. It is also important to extend the enforcement to boxing officials as well such as judges, coaches and managers because they are also prone to contract the disease just like the boxers,” he said.

Boxer Osgood Kayuni supported Jobe’s sentiments, saying it is important that the boxing body makes sure that boxers that will be put on quarantine are given relief packs.

“We expect the body to provide some reliefs packs to those that would be put in quarantine after the tests,” he said.