Khumalo, who leads a board of seven members, addressed the boxing community during the opening day of the Boxing Convention in East London yesterday.

A lawyer by profession, Khumalo is under no illusion that they are taking over a sporting code beset with problems, in and outside of the ring.

"Just after our appointment on 19 December, the Minister had an introductory session with us on 20 December, and he acknowledged that most of us come from various disciplines, with various expertise," said Khumalo in her address.

"But he asked us to try and delve into the medical space so that we can nurse boxing out of the ICU, and we have accepted that challenge.

"The Minister also mandated us to start working towards the preparation of the Boxing Convention, which he emphasised should take place before the end of February.

"In response to these directives, we prioritised meeting with stakeholders, and from these interactions, we heard the cries of licensees, connected with their pulse, and felt their pain as they poured their hearts out.

"We are, however, confident that in this room we have the requisite knowledge, expertise, experience, passion, and institutional memory, not only to come up with answers to the questions posed, but to solutions to these issues we are grappling with.

"We are confident that among the 1 280 licensees, we have capable men and women that will come up appropriate solutions.

"As the board of Boxing SA, we say this with full conviction, not only because we are passionate and fully committed to the responsibility bestowed upon us by the honourable Minister, but also because we have had interactions with the licensees.

"Through these interactions, we witnessed how passionate, knowledgeable and hungry the licensees are for success, but also for the return of boxing to its glory."

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