Gauteng boxing promoters face funding challenges

Gauteng Boxing Promoters Association chair Sandile Xaka explained why he felt this way.“That is the worry we have as an association,” Xaka. “As a result, we will have a meeting with Boxing SA CEO Tsholofelo Lejaka very soon to address this matter.“We need the government to come on board, plus the corporate sector, because the challenge is that the corporate sector is still reluctant to invest in promoters who want to stage boxing in townships. We would also like to partner with the public broadcaster.”Boxing SA and the SABC signed a three-year partnership in 2022 to boost the sport’s visibility through broadcasts on the SABC’s platforms. “I think we need to see it [the partnership] in action,” Xaka. Xaka was asked about the requirements for a Boxing SA promoter application. “They need a business document, meaning you are a registered business and you are tax compliant.”Xaka claimed that the government grant for promoters does not cover all of the requirements. A licensee who requested anonymity said: “Honestly, you can’t really call yourself a promoter when you are dependent on government. You must be prepared to use your money and also go out there and source funding from the business world.“White promoters, especially in Gauteng, are busy because they have sponsors; sadly black people don’t look after each other, and I don’t know what causes that. “Look at Kevin Lerena; he [and his wife, Geraldine] came in and staged four successful international tournaments because they approached the business sector, which bought into the idea, and SuperSport came on board.”I don’t think it helps one to fold arms and wait for government so that one can stage a tournament.“
2025-11-10 09:40:17