Apologise to MP, boxing head told

 North East West Mekeo Amateur Boxing Association (NEW Mekeo) president Mathew Aisa has called on Kairuku Amateur Boxing Association head Andrew Magaiva to apologise to Kairuku-Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo for dragging him into the boxing debate.

He said Isoaimo did not discriminate against any sporting group in his electorate. 

Aisa said Isoaimo had helped KABA with more than K40,000, which was spent on it attending the Highland region boxing tournament (K14,000), the National Boxing Championships in Vanimo (K14,000), and the Independence Boxing Tournament (K20,000) and he was still waiting for acquittals of those funds. 

Aisa said as patron the Kairuku-Hiri MP gave NEW MABA K5,000 for launching the new boxing association in January, K35,000 to send the team to Goroka for selection trials in February, K16,000 to representative boxers in Team PNG; and K20,000 to NEW MABA

He said except the K20,000 given last month all funds had been acquitted for with reports submitted. 

Aisa said Magaiva must apologise to the MP for dragging him into an issue that could be resolved amicably instead of using the media.

Since the inauguration of the new boxing association, Aisa said they had been working closely with the PNGABU.

“We are keeping the union informed of the activities within our association. In fact, NEW MABA have bought a boxing ring from the PNG Boxing Union for its competition,” he said.