Minister McKenzie encouraged by Boxing Promoters’ endorsement of the new BSA Board

McKenzie announced the new BSA board yesterday, following months and weeks of consulting and shortlisting. Accompanied by his Deputy Peace Mabe, they also met the new board.

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Mckenzie had decided in August this year, to dissolve the previous board due to escalating legal costs after the NPBPA had challenged the legitimacy of its appointment, questioning the lack of proper consultation process before it was appointed. 

The dispute between BSA and NPBPA threatened the smooth running of boxing in the country after two boards appointed by McKenzie’s predecessor Zizi Kodwa were challenged legally and successfully by the promoters.

The new board of seven members is headed by Ayanda Zamantungwa (Chairperson), Mthokozisi Radebe, Sydney James, Rina Subotzky Jude, Saudah Hamid, Siyakhula Simelane, and Vincent Blennnies.

During his meeting with the new board, McKenzie congratulated and wished them well at the start of their three-year tenure. He emphasised that the board should concern itself with playing a strategic role and exercising oversight of the entity’s senior management team, and always put the wellbeing of boxers first.

“Boxing was once the second most popular sport in South Africa, and it remains a massive sport globally. However, we have seen a dramatic decline in the health of this sport in South Africa over recent years, with unfortunate periods of broadcast blackout, the exploitation of boxers, sustainability concerns for promoters.

“The domination of the boxing ecosystem by a small group of promoters and a too-complex system of sanctioning fights and taking payment from promoters, which leads to arguments over payments”. 

“Boxing was one of the saving graces of sport during apartheid, and we cannot allow this sport with so much history and heritage to wither on the vine”, concluded McKenzie on the appointment of the new BSA board.