This year’s national inter-club boxing competitions have been delayed until late in the year on technical grounds, local boxing body has confirmed.

According to Rwanda Amateur Boxing Association (Raba) technical director who also doubles as national team head coach Gashugi Kananura, the delay is not due lack of funds but to technical.

"We have at least one inter-club each year," Gashugi said, adding that, "And we are planning it to be the build up for this year’s national championship." He did not specify the exact dates of the competitions.

He disclosed that Raba has plans to hold at least six international friendly tournaments before the end of the year.

"Rwandan boxers are struggling to improve because they don’t get the chance to face opponents from other countries on a regular basis," before admitting that Raba has failed the boxers by not getting sponsors for the sport.

Gashugi is now the technical vice president of the newly revived East and Central Africa Amateur Boxing Association, ECAABA.

ECAABA replaced the defunct East, Southern and Central Africa Amateur Boxing Association (FASCAABA) which ceased recognition by the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) for failing to abide by international rules.

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