It is that time of the year where Boxing SA provides female fighters opportunities to represent the fight fraternity in the annual Women’s Month celebrations which SA uses to pay tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 n protest against the extension of pass laws to women.
Both the national and provincial governments have put aside funding that will be spread by Boxing SA among female promoters who will use it in staging what has become known as Women Only tournaments countrywide.
Boxing SA acting CEO Ntsikayezwe Sithole says they will launch what he terms “The Rise of Women in Boxing” series to empower and promote women in the sport of boxing inside and outside the ring.
The biggest challenge could the insufficient number of female boxers. Right now there are only about 26 Boxing SA licensed female fighters, and according to Boxing SA’s statement, there will be action from this month until March next year
The proposed women in boxing series will take place in KwaZulu Natal (August 19), Gauteng (August 26), Limpopo (September 1), North West (September 9), East London (October), Gqeberha ( December), Northern Cape (November/December), Mpumalanga (November), Free State (February 2020) and Western Cape (March 2024).
"In a province where there is no female promoter, a male promoter will be allowed to stage a tournament,” reads the statement in part. “The programme will span across all nine provinces in the country and it will include several development workshops and boxing tournamnents strictly aimed at women in boxing.
It is announced that the objectives are
(1) empower female boxing to a level that is on an equal footing with male boxing in SA
(2) attract more female participation in boxing across all licence categories
(3) retain and elevate female participation in the sport
(4) partner with the South African National Amateur Boxing Organisation in ensuring that female participation is increased (thus accommodate a minimum of two amateur bouts involving females only)
(5) honor females who have succeeded in various South African societal environment categories, be it in sports, economic, political, education or otherwise. That is to promote social cohesion and nation building
Sithole is quoted as saying the launch of the programme will assist to unearth new talent and give exposure to young women and use them to galvanize support and sponsorships in relation to women boxing development.
“It will not only include tournaments but there will also be other focus areas at the workshops such as financial management, wealth creation, marketing and branding and all other aspects to empower women in boxing,” added Sithole.
“All female tournaments will be hosted by BSA-registered female promoters.”
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