Over the past two years, boxing in Rwanda has been a ship with no compass as the leadership of Rwanda Amateur Boxing Association (RABA) has been embroiled in wrangles. The association failed to attract funding from the Ministry of Culture and Sports (MINISPOC) and other potential sponsors, and as a result failed to organize any single championship last year. Last month, the association appointed a new committee for a four-year term headed by former national team boxer Vick Kalisa to revive the boxing sport. “This is a new era and we are determined to make amends and build a concrete system and will ignite growth and advancement of boxing in Rwanda.” said Kalisa in an interview with Times Sport. The association had suffered divisions within the local boxing fraternity, caused by power struggle, which led to break-away factions. “We have set a wide action plan and we are sure it is going to redeem boxing. Soon we shall be staging championships that will be hosting regional boxers,” said the federation’s spokesperson and treasurer Thomas Nkusi. Last week, the federation organized a genocide memorial tournament at Kimisagara Maison de jeune where Rwanda hosted Uganda with each side fielding 9 players. Uganda managed to win four gold medals while Rwanda scooped five gold medals. Executive Committee President: Vick KalisaVice President: Maurice BikorimanaSecond V/President: Josette UmwariSecretary General: Henry MulisaSpokesperson and treasurer: Thomas Nkusi Auditors Daniel GagaFisal Kayonde Arbitrary CommitteeChristian NdumeEmmanuel MuhumuzaFaith Kharim Niyonsenga editorial@newtimes.co.rw
