Boxers’ agonising wait for prize money

It was a jovial moment for local pugilists when they won prize money during the Africa Boxing Championships held in Maputo, Mozambique last year.

The jubilations have, however, turned into a heartache, as the money remains unpaid since September. The boxers are feeling desponded as the mother body, the Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) is also failing to provide answers.

Keamogetse Sadie Kenosi won a gold medal and P100, 000 cash while Aratwa Kasemang and George Molwantwa each won silver medals, which carry a P50, 000 cash prize. Kobamelo Molatlhegi, Lethabo Modukanele and Phekie Bele scooped bronze medals and they were to pocket P25, 000 each.

BoBA president, Gilbert Khunwane told Mmegi Sport that they have been trying to make follow up on the payments from Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC).

“We are still waiting for them. It has been delays after delays. We recently sent boxers bank account numbers,” Khunwane said. Meanwhile, the boxers will not get anything from the national performance incentives and rewards package. “BoBA is even failing to push Botswana National Sport

Commission (BNSC) to award the boxers allowances under the performance incentives and rewards package,” a source said.

But BNSC spokesperson, Modiri Ontitile said the boxing team does not qualify for performance incentives and rewards package for national team players because less than 40 countries attended the competition.

“We only reward when a team has participated in a competition with over 40 countries because we want to avoid a situation whereby in some competitions, you find three countries and we are expected to pay up. So as it stands, the team does not qualify,” he said.

The source said it is high time the rewards policy is reviewed adding that the set up is confusing because it means boxing will never benefit.

“Those kids played their hearts out, three fights to get to the finals and they are not paid. It is a sad day for sport,” the source said.

The official argued that AFBC has 41 affiliates eligible for competition, but those countries never compete at the same time, as they are only good on paper and they do not have boxers. “It will never happen, it has never happened, not even once (that all countries compete at the same time),”

a source said.