Sport ministry won't intervene in boxing issues The Directorate of Sport has stated that it is not the ministry''s place to intervene in the Professional Boxing Control Board''s issues.Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, the director of sports, Shivute Katamba, said the dissatisfaction of boxing promoters and other issues related to the control board are supposed to be overseen by the Namibia Sports Commission.
“We have a sports commission that is supposed to govern professional boxing. Even though they are governed by their Act, they still fall under the Sport Commission,” he said.
“Who is now supervising them? You cannot tell me that the minister is going to supervise them, he is not there to supervise them, that is why the minister has the eyes and ears of the Sports Commission.”
He questioned why the administration of the boxing control board is not being supervised by the Sports Commission.
“I have spoken to the previous board about this and they had a different thinking, but I am still not convinced and the Sports Commission should know everything related to sports.
“My question is now who will handle this issue? Do they expect the minister to supervise them? The only structure that can do so is the Sport Commission and then we are doing the right thing,” said Katamba.
Sports Commission chairperson Joel Matheus said the control board was established by an act of parliament just like the NSC, “so they are on equal basis with the commission and run their affairs and it will be difficult for the directorate to intervene prematurely unless proper procedures are followed.”
Three boxing promoters this week called on the minister of sport, Jerry Ekandjo, to remove the newly appointed boxing control board chairperson, Ellison Hijarunguru.
SPORT REPORTER