Wushu warns stolen equipment buyers
Boxers and officials using stolen wushu equipment have until this month to surrender the gear or risk arrest, Malawi Wushu Federation (MWF) president Hackson Chapasa has warned.
Chapasa said this as his committee embarked on a countrywide mission to recover K1 million worth of equipment for wushu; a boxing-like demonstration sport.
“Those who know that they bought this equipment should voluntarily give back the equipment to avoid last-minute embarrassment during training or competitions,” Chapasa warned last week on return to Lilongwe from the equipment recovery mission in Blantyre.
The official [name withheld], the federation opted not to have arrested out of sportsmanship, allegedly sold for a song to boxers and promoters gloves, training pads, protective clothing, chest guards and gum shields which were in his custody.
“We have been greatly affected by this, especially at the Kamuzu Institute for Sports,” Chapasa added.
MWF merely dismissed the official accused of allegedly selling the equipment to firms such as Mawenzi Promotion Boxing Club, a Malawi Boxing Association regional official, Mchinji Boxing Promotion Club, a youth centre and two boxers [names withheld].
But on Wednesday, Mchinji promoter Justice Katika distanced his entity from MWF claims, adding that he buys his equipment outside the country or sometimes pays for his boxers at other gyms in town.
Mawenzi owner Steven Msiska on Tuesday confirmed having had a ‘fruitful meeting’ with Chapasa.
“In fact, all the equipment he sold me, I donated to some boxers and I have informed them of the same and I have asked them to return the equipment,” said Msiska.
“All these have agreed to return the equipment to us,” said Chapasa.
He warned that the exercise of retrieving the equipment will continue and those who know that they bought something should voluntarily give it back or they will face the law.
Duly affiliated to the Malawi National Council of Sports and Malawi Olympic Committee, MWF is four years old.
