Midlands Correspondent
THE suspended Zimbabwe Boxing Federation (ZBF) executive is yet to be served with suspension letters three months after they were ejected by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC).
The Lovemore Malianga-led executive was suspended for two years from the sport in December 2015 for failing to remit boxers’ levies to the SRC.
However, the suspension may torch a storm with the International Boxing Association (AIBA), which could ban the local association from taking part in regional and international boxing competitions for government interference.
Article 14 of the AIBA constitution forbids “external interference”, especially the removal of a properly constituted executive it recognises.
A letter addressed to AIBA executive director Karim Bouzidi by ZBF confirms that the federation’s office bearers are yet to receive their suspension letters.
“It’s unfortunate that you received this communiqué of our suspension before we have received it. As an executive committee, we have not received official communication of our suspension. We approached the Sports and Recreation Commission on this issue and we were informed to wait for the official communication of which we are still waiting for,” reads part of the letter to AIBA signed by ZBF secretary-general Goodwill Sibanda.
“We informed the director of sports development in the SRC (Joseph Muchechetere) of the consequences of this act with AIBA and he informed us that they would contact you. Currently my committee is waiting for the suspension letter. We are also allowed to appeal against this decision as soon as we receive the letter to this effect. It seems we might not even have this opportunity as the ministry and the commission are in a hurry to replace our executive committee. The ministry is yet to announce the ad hoc committee, but from their actions this will be very soon.”
Bouzidi had written to the ZBF inquiring about the SRC’s interference into the operations of the federation.
“In reference to reports, please immediately confirm the status of the Zimbabwe Boxing Federation. Accounts have circulated that ZBF has been suspended by the Sports Council of Zimbabwe (sic) and has set up an ad hoc committee without AIBA being notified. Please note that AIBA needs to be made aware and provided a full report to the current status and issues of the federation, including the persons who have been appointed to the Ad hoc committee in order to ensure that they represent the best interest of boxing within Zimbabwe and uphold AIBA’s Statutes and Bylaws,” read Bouzidi’s letter.