NSC picks body to govern professional boxing

Dar es Salaam. The government has declared Tanzania Professional Boxing Commission (TPBC) as the official body that will be overseeing professional boxing in the country.
The decision means it does not recognise the likes of Tanzania Professional Boxing Organization (TPBO)-Limited, Pugilistic Syndicate of Tanzania (PST) and Tanzania Professional Boxing Commission Limited (TPBC Limited)
TPBC is under the leadership of the former boxer, Chaurembo Palasa.
National Sports Council (NSC) secretary general Mohamed Kiganja told The Citizen yesterday that TPBO Limited, PST and TPBC Limited cannot be entrusted to lead professional boxing because they are not registered in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations. “TBPC is the only body that we recognise because it is registered as the rules set by the ministry (Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports) require, so it is the only body that will be running professional boxing affairs in the country,” said Kaganja.
“Those we are prohibiting have business names only, but they are not registered. This means that from now they will not be allowed to organise, supervise or sanction any fight for professional boxers.”
He stressed: “All activities pertaining to professional boxing must be carried out by TPBC under Palasa and officials forming this organisation.” “All professional boxers, managers, agents, match-makers and coaches must seek the permission this body.” Kiganja disclosed that they have informed various international boxing stakeholders including boxrec.com, which records boxers’ information over the NSC decision.
Responding to the NSC decision, TPBO Limited president Yasin Abdallah protested the decision saying it will cause confusion in professional boxing. “They have erred in giving TPBC such powers. They should have stuck with the earlier resolution that professional boxing should be handled by a special committee that was formed.”  PST president Emmanuel Mlundwa said he was surprised by the NSC stance, saying TPBC is not a government body, thus it should not have been picked to govern professional boxing.
“The NSC’s decision is ridiculous. It is like they forcing us to be members of TPBC. This does not exist anywhere in the world; we will vehemently protest this move,” said the former boxer.