BFT secretary general, Makore Mashaga

Poor infrastructure has compelled Tanzania to avoid hosting the fifth edition of continental championship that was supposed to be held latter in October.

The Boxing Federation of Tanzania’s (BFT) secretary general, Makore Mashaga, said lack of modern indoor stadiums has crippled efforts to bring continental boxers in the country.

He said the vice-president of the federation, Michael Changalawe, who attended the 2012 African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) annual general meeting held in Morocco last April, and members of the meeting agreed that Tanzania should host the event.

Makore, however, said Changalawe communicated with BFT officials who agreed not to accept the opportunity as the country has no capacity to host an event of that nature

He said besides lacking modern indoor stadiums, BFT would have needed International Boxing Association (AIBA) licensed ring equipment, bandages, boxing outfits, gloves, head guards, gum shields and cup protectors which he claimed are very expensive to procure.

“We were given the opportunity to host the championship but we rejected as we do not have any modern indoor stadium and financially crippled to meet the expenditures,” he said.

Mashaga also disclosed that BFT could not seek any help from AIBA in hosting the event as the international body, through its Goodwill Fund Programme, provides development assistance to National Member Federations not finances for hosting events.

“AIBA do support its members with development and not to provide financial assistance to host events,” he said.

According to him, AFBC has not communicated to BFT on which country will host the event, and he could also not disclose if the country will send its boxers to the event.