Power struggle rocks boxing fraternity

Boxing is fighting for its life as a legal status continues to elude Rwanda Amateur Boxing Association (RABA). This means that the National Olympic Committee does not recognize RABA, and this has affected local boxing activities. RABA needs a minimum of four registered clubs in order to gain federation status and to get funding from the Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC). Kigali Life Boxing Club is the only fully registered club. “In 2010 we had visitors and promoters from the US who wanted to support us but that was not possible without a federation that runs different activities. The Americans lost interest,” says Charles Muvunyi, the coach of Kigali Life Boxing Club. On top of being the head trainer, Muvunyi also co-founded the club alongside American expert, Rita Cuckovich in 2010. Muvunyi accuses the leadership of RABA of pushing “their own interests” at the expense of the sport. “There is a federation but it’s not working legally because they don’t have legal status, and what is disheartening is the fact that they seem not to have even the will to get this issue sorted once and for all,” Muvunyi revealed in an exclusive interview with Times Sport. He noted that, “Without a legally recognized federation, we can’t really do much, the clubs can’t operate. The (potential sponsors) are there, but they’re waiting for the federation to (get legal status) so that it starts helping clubs organize activities.” However, when contacted, the interim president of RABA, Vicky Kalisa, said the federation is mobilizing boxing clubs in the country to get legal status. “The other clubs are still in the process of registration with Rwanda Governance Board, (RGB) and until they finish their registration and acquiring legal statuses, we can’t have the federation status,” he says. He noted that the clubs need a working federation largely because most of them lack proper facilities an issue which can be addressed if a vibrant federation is in place. “A MINISPOC-funded RABA would have the capacity to afford a boxing ring for the clubs to use,” noted Muvunyi, adding that boxers would use such facilities to become more accomplished and able to represent the country in regional and continental competitions. Five out of eight clubs in the country namely; Kimisagara, Kigali Life, Rafiki, No Limit and Inkuba Boxing Clubs are members of RABA, and elected Jacob Murindangabo as the president. However, divisions within the local boxing fraternity, caused by power struggle, led to a break-away faction of three clubs which include; Remera, Kigali Wins and Fitness as well as Hillside boxing clubs, who held a separate election and voted Shyaka Kanuma as their leader. They formed a rival federation, Rwanda Olympic Boxing Federation (ROBF), which, however, is not recognised by the RNOSC. Philbert Rutagengwa , the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) secretary general says, “MINISPOC gave the federations instructions to present their legal statuses so it can be able to work with them and include them in it’s plan. When they are ready they can present their papers.” In a past interview about the same issue Rutagengwa said the RNOSC can’t follow up on individual clubs but they have to follow up with their registration at RGB. Until the Federation gets legal status, boxing as a sport is headed for the toughest times in the history of the game. “We pray that MINISPOC and the RNOSC intervene to save the situation. Boxers need to come together for the better future of the sport in Rwanda,” noted Muvunyi. editorial@newtimes.co.rw