Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula and the SABC have reaffirmed their commitment to local boxing.
This comes after speculation that the national broadcaster would lose its rights to SuperSport. The postponement of a tournament that was to be staged by TK Boxing Promotions in Rustenburg last Friday led to the uncertainty.
Suggestions were made that the postponement was caused by disagreements between the Sports Ministry and the SABC over broadcasting rights.
But promoter Tshele Kometsi maintained that the postponement was caused by logistical challenges and he gave assurances that his maiden tourney would take place tomorrow in Kimberley.
“The Department and Ministry of Sport and Recreation continues to support boxing in South Africa,” said Mbalula. “Last year boxing was brought back to live television. This year, again, we affirm our commitment to see the growth and development of boxing.”
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said the key factor in the public broadcaster’s delivery of boxing was to recognise amateur, professional and development boxing.
“As the SABC, we understand that broadcasting live boxing to our audience is one of our main deliverables in creating legends and to remain true to our promise that boxing is back,” he said.
Northern Cape MEC of Sport Lebohang Motlhaping said: “I am hopeful that our amateur boxers will exploit the opportunity and rub shoulders with their international counterparts, and learn a few tricks and gain knowledge. We urge all citizens of the Northern Cape around Kimberley to come out in large numbers and enjoy the blow by blow action in this event.”
In June, Mbalula, SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng and Boxing SA chairman Muditambi Ravele launched the “Boxing is Back” programme and said there would be live tournaments every month on SABC in all the provinces.
Tomorrow’s tournament will feature three WBF-sanctioned bouts. Two of those three championship bouts, which include a female international fight, will be televised live on SABC2 from 9pm.
• Meanwhile, Anton Nel will put his SA heavyweight title on the line against the Eastern Cape’s Sithembele August in Boksburg tonight in a tournament organised by Real Steel Promotions.
Broadcaster stays firmly on board for fight coverage
This comes after speculation that the national broadcaster would lose its rights to SuperSport. The postponement of a tournament that was to be staged by TK Boxing Promotions in Rustenburg last Friday led to the uncertainty.
Suggestions were made that the postponement was caused by disagreements between the Sports Ministry and the SABC over broadcasting rights.
But promoter Tshele Kometsi maintained that the postponement was caused by logistical challenges and he gave assurances that his maiden tourney would take place tomorrow in Kimberley.
“The Department and Ministry of Sport and Recreation continues to support boxing in South Africa,” said Mbalula. “Last year boxing was brought back to live television. This year, again, we affirm our commitment to see the growth and development of boxing.”
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said the key factor in the public broadcaster’s delivery of boxing was to recognise amateur, professional and development boxing.
“As the SABC, we understand that broadcasting live boxing to our audience is one of our main deliverables in creating legends and to remain true to our promise that boxing is back,” he said.
Northern Cape MEC of Sport Lebohang Motlhaping said: “I am hopeful that our amateur boxers will exploit the opportunity and rub shoulders with their international counterparts, and learn a few tricks and gain knowledge. We urge all citizens of the Northern Cape around Kimberley to come out in large numbers and enjoy the blow by blow action in this event.”
In June, Mbalula, SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng and Boxing SA chairman Muditambi Ravele launched the “Boxing is Back” programme and said there would be live tournaments every month on SABC in all the provinces.
Tomorrow’s tournament will feature three WBF-sanctioned bouts. Two of those three championship bouts, which include a female international fight, will be televised live on SABC2 from 9pm.
• Meanwhile, Anton Nel will put his SA heavyweight title on the line against the Eastern Cape’s Sithembele August in Boksburg tonight in a tournament organised by Real Steel Promotions.
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