Ravele steers BSA clear of turbulence

Buoyant Boxing SA chairwoman Muditambi Ravele has reason to be upbeat after a two-day women’s only seminar in Pretoria at the weekend heightened her optimism about the future of female boxers in the country.

But Ravele, the first woman to occupy the position, conceded that while she had reason to be sanguine about the future, she has also weathered numerous storms since Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula appointed her to the post in May last year.

“We managed to interact and understand their (female boxers) challenges and come up with resolutions,” said Ravele.

“Female officials, their spouses or anyone they want to bring to a tournament should be allocated tickets for purposes of safety when driving back to their homes after a night of boxing,” she said.

“There is also an issue around profiling female licensees, especially boxers, so that they become known sporting brands in the same way as their male counterparts so that information regarding them is freely available.”

Female boxers, officials and promoters still face serious challenges in what remains a male-dominated sport and many of them placed high expectations on Ravele when she became chairwoman last year.

She was viewed as a saviour and many expected her to make time to meet them so that they could relate the trials and tribulations they face within the sport.

But Ravele had to hit the ground running as she often found herself putting out fires almost daily while also trying to steer the battered Boxing SA ship to calmer waters.

BSA has been under severe strain since the suspension in 2013 of chief executive Moffat Qithi in September 2013.

Qithi was suspended two years ago, but still received full pay of R100000 a month until he was sacked in July this year after a tribunal found him guilty on 10 of 14 charges, five of them involving “gross dishonesty”.

Loyiso Mtya was originally appointed as acting chief executive, but he quit while suspended amid several allegations of corruption, fraud and mismanagement.

Chief financial officer (CFO) Kgosimang Mosupa, who was suspended in October last year, was also dismissed in July.

The tide turned in May when Mbalula and SABC’s chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng announced the return of live boxing on television and radio after a five-year absence. The sport appeared to finally stabilise and the board was able to make time for female licensees in the two-day seminar held in Pretoria at the weekend.

Ravele intends increasing the number of provincial and national title tournaments for women.

“The pool is small. Champions can’t fight as often as they would like because there are no challengers. We will recommend to the sports ministry that government sponsored tournaments have at least two female bouts. They scarcely fight yet they pay their licences every year.”

With regard to more women in managerial positions, it was decided women would also be considered when appointments are being made at all levels within the sport.

“Female boxers were also advised on how to handle their finances, putting something away for dark days. We, the whole board, are delighted to have met them so as to get to know each other. The future is bright.”