‘Keep boxing alive in these times’
A Limpopo boxer has called for authorities in the sport to come up with alternative ways of keeping the sport alive during lockdown
LIMPOPO – There is grave concern from many professional boxers who say that by the time the country announces the end of lockdown, there will literally be no sporting activities taking place.
With most sporting disciplines suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many sportspeople are worried that their careers are in jeopardy.
A local boxer, Justice ‘Viper’ Siliga of Magau, who was ranked number three by Boxing South Africa in the heavyweight division, said his biggest concern is that there is no income during the lockdown. Many boxers did not benefit from the Covid-19 Relief Funds which the Minister of Sport, Nathi Mthethwa announced.
It was not a free for all, but rather one meant for those boxers who had already sanctioned fights when the government announced the national lockdown, he said.
Many who did not receive any funds say it is becoming difficult to keep bread on the table.
Siliga says hunger has become the new enemy. He said that he kept fit throughout lockdown.”But something is needed to help keep the wolf from the door since our only source of income was disabled to curb the spread of Covid-19.”
Siliga suggested that government assist promoters to host fights behind closed doors with no fans but under a strictly controlled environment. “If fighting without fans is what it takes, then so be it,” he proposes.
“The bottom line is, we will earn some money that will help us live. But it will at least mean that everyone involved in the sport can get back to work, even if not under ideal circumstances, and that fans at home will be able to watch on television or on their streaming devices.”
He said that different sporting codes have been suspended since March and with no clear date set for a return. “We don’t know if they’re going to go back to the ring, we don’t know if boxing will start again, they’re not sure what’s going on,” he added.
