Contained in the draft convention report are a number of critical resolutions that include the following:
- A joint strategic planning session will be held between Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA), Boxing South Africa (BSA) and South African National Boxing Organisation (SANABO)
- The post of Chief Executive Officer at BSA will be advertised immediately
- The sponsorship and marketing model needs to be reviewe
- The minister will intervene in the unconstitutional functioning of SANABO
- While SANABO and BSA will remain autonomous, they will together constitute a Boxing Council that will be the highest boxing decision making body in South Africa
- The vacancies on the board of BSA must be filled with competent managers and leaders
- SRSA, BSA and SANABO will work together to implement a system of sport science and medical support
- There must be better communication between all the stakeholders of boxing
- The needs of women boxers must be taken care of.
These resolutions are an attempt to resolve challenges faced by the sport of boxing, including:
- Poor financial administration
- Poor strategic leadership
- Loss of sponsorship
- Lack of good governance
- Poor relationship and lack of synergy between BSA and SANABO
- The lack of a holistic boxing development programme
- The lack of a scientific approach to boxing
- The integration and promoting of women in boxing
- Commercialisation of boxing
While the input on the convention report is awaited, SRSA, BSA and SANABO are already putting into action some of the urgent matters raised at the convention. Meetings that were facilitated by the department between BSA and SANABO have resulted in a review of their memorandum of understanding that has been dormant since February 2008.
"We are encouraged by the spirit with which BSA and SANABO discussed their relationship issues in order to serve the interest of boxing," said the meeting Facilitator and Chief Director for Client Support Services, Professor Paul Singh.
Issues raised at the convention about SANABO’s compliance to their constitution or lack thereof, are also being discussed between them and SRSA. The department is also meeting with Treasury to find better ways of funding BSA. We have also welcomed the decision to initiate recruitment processes to fill critical posts in order to strengthen financial management and governance in BSA.
The convention report of the convention is being circulated to delegates who attended the convention and has also been placed on the Sport and Recreation South Africa's internet blog: http://www.yoursport-southafrica.info, in the interest of transparency and need for all South Africans to influence the future of the sport of boxing.
The department will continue supporting BSA in its efforts to turn around the fortunes of Boxing in South Africa.
Enquiries:
Manase Makwela
Cell: 082 782 1759
