Shake-up needed in boxing: Kaperu

WINDHOEK – The re-elected Namibia Boxing Federation (NABF) secretary general, Joe Kaperu, says there is a dire need to restructure the sub-federations affiliated to the national boxing body.

In an interview with Nampa yesterday, Kaperu, who was re-elected at the weekend, said to be able to correct the current challenges, there must be cooperation from all regional federations to have a working structure within boxing. He singled out the administration of the sub-federations because little was done in terms of development.”The most active regions are Erongo, Kunene, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, the four northern regions and Khomas,” said Kaperu.The regional executive committees are totally non-existing, he said, adding that some people claim to be in charge of boxing development but cooperation is evidently lacking as most of them only look after their own interest.According to him, a lack of equipment hampers development, and on top of that, regional affiliates have failed to canvas for sponsorships, instead putting the blame on the NABF Executive.The new NABF Executive would have its first ordinary congress early next year to implement the resolutions taken at the 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 annual general meetings (AGMs).During the two-year terms of office, the NABF executives’ priority is to prepare boxers for next year’s All Africa Games in Algeria, Africa Boxing Championships in Gabon and the Olympic Games qualification for 2008.Preparations for the Olympic Games will start next year.The newly elected NABF is headed by Kelly Nghixulifwa, who has been with the federation for the past 13 years.At the weekend’s AGM, the financial state of the body was not discussed.Kaperu said the financial documents could not be discussed because the auditors were still busy with them and that an ordinary congress will be called in February 2007 to discuss the documents.On the inactivity of the women’s and schools’ boxing federations, Kaperu said although only a few women participate in boxing, they were still an affiliate with equal rights, adding that most of the amateur boxers were in school and very active.Kaperu admitted that the regional structures were not functional, adding that the structure might be changed next year so that clubs can affiliate directly to the federation.He said no club had paid its affiliation fees to the NABF at the moment.NampaHe singled out the administration of the sub-federations because little was done in terms of development.”The most active regions are Erongo, Kunene, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, the four northern regions and Khomas,” said Kaperu.The regional executive committees are totally non-existing, he said, adding that some people claim to be in charge of boxing development but cooperation is evidently lacking as most of them only look after their own interest.According to him, a lack of equipment hampers development, and on top of that, regional affiliates have failed to canvas for sponsorships, instead putting the blame on the NABF Executive.The new NABF Executive would have its first ordinary congress early next year to implement the resolutions taken at the 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 annual general meetings (AGMs).During the two-year terms of office, the NABF executives’ priority is to prepare boxers for next year’s All Africa Games in Algeria, Africa Boxing Championships in Gabon and the Olympic Games qualification for 2008.Preparations for the Olympic Games will start next year.The newly elected NABF is headed by Kelly Nghixulifwa, who has been with the federation for the past 13 years.At the weekend’s AGM, the financial state of the body was not discussed.Kaperu said the financial documents could not be discussed because the auditors were still busy with them and that an ordinary congress will be called in February 2007 to discuss the documents.On the inactivity of the women’s and schools’ boxing federations, Kaperu said although only a few women participate in boxing, they were still an affiliate with equal rights, adding that most of the amateur boxers were in school and very active.Kaperu admitted that the regional structures were not functional, adding that the structure might be changed next year so that clubs can affiliate directly to the federation.He said no club had paid its affiliation fees to the NABF at the moment.Nampa