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The Malawi Boxing Association, (Maba) has been hit below the belt by organisers of this year’s All Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria, where Malawi’s two boxing ambassadors have been deleted from the competing list after missing the weigh-in exercise.
Maba’s outspoken secretary general Henry Sakala disclosed Wednesday that he had been informed by delegation leader John Zingale that welterweight boxer Chimwemwe Chiotcha and the middleweight Davie Madzinyane, who came all the way from South Africa to participate in the Abuja games, had been barred from contesting in the games.
“This is a body blow for us. We had informed the organisers that our boxers would be arriving a bit late because of flight connections but we are surprised that they have not taken our issue into consideration,” said a worried Sakala.
According to Sakala, the weigh-in exercise took place on Saturday, when the Malawi ambassadors were waiting for flight connections at Johannesburg International Airport.
Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association of Malawi, (Ocgam) secretary general James Gwaza described the development as worrisome.
“We spent over K400,000 on these boxers and their coach Anderson Kazembe but we are not really worried about the money issue. Our main worry is that boxing will not be represented at next year’s Olympic Games.
“Had the boxers scooped medals, they would have automatically qualified for Athens 2004. But there is nothing we can do about it and the only thing we can do if to facilitate their early return,” said Gwaza.
Malawi almost failed to take part in this year’s All Africa Games because of the K3.8m affiliation fee owed to the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa by the Malawi government but Ocgam managed to convince the organisers to allow Malawi send its athletes to the games.
The national Olympic body also came to the athletes’ rescue by providing funds for the trip when government had chickened out.
Meanwhile Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) chair Justice Dunstain Mwaungulu said Wednesday that the athletes will start competing on Saturday.
The athletes who are representing the country at the continental festival are Catherine Chikwakwa, John Kayange (5,000m); Francis Munthali, Kondwani Chiwina (1,500m); Getrude Banda (800m); Moses Kondowe (400m, 800m); Takondwa Phiri (shotput/javelin) and Henry Moyo marathon.
“All athletic disciplines will start on Saturday, October 11, so they have just been practising ahead of the competitions,” said Mwaungulu.
He also said there were some miscalculations of allowances and part of the money meant for the athletes allowances, has gone towards accreditation.
“But we have assured them that they will be paid when they come back home,” he said.
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