By: Zethu Gweva
During the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Council Open Day held at the East London City Hall Auditorium, the boxing promoters said they want a stand-alone budget.
The Eastern Cape Boxing Promoters Association spokesperson Xolani Jamani said they have raised issues regarding their budgets, which includes them with all the other sporting codes.
He added that the funds given to them are not enough because there are a lot of promoters and boxers in the province. Jamani expressed that they should have signed an MOU with the municipality and a have separate budget from other sporting codes.
“As we all know that boxing has the city and South African on the world map, and the Eastern Cape has been named the mecca of boxing as we have produced national and world champions,” said Jamani.
According to the Eastern Cape Boxing Promoters Association secretary Bongani Zulu their purpose as the sports fraternity is to develop young and upcoming boxers. He added that most boxers come from disadvantaged backgrounds and boxing is their meal ticket.
The BCMM Executive Mayor Xola Pakati said they help all the sporting codes with their budget, but will particularly look into boxing.