Boxing association eager to kick start calendar after being quiet for six years

NEW Ireland’s Namatanai Boxing Association is eager to begin its calendar after not hosting a tournament over the last six years.
But the association is calling on the PNG Boxing Union (PNGBU) to conduct clinics for referee, judging and coaching to put the association on par before it can host its tournaments.
Association president Len Meli said the association had lacked qualified judges, referees and technical officials to officiate at tournaments, which was a PNGBU requirement.
“I am calling on the union to come to our aid and conduct courses on refereeing, judging and coaching so that the association can start hosting its tournaments,” he said.
“It’s been almost six years since the association last hosted a tournament, all because the association had lacked qualified technical officials and judges. “We appeal to the union to run technical courses on judging and refereeing so that we are able to run tournaments with qualified officials.”
He said the association had previously hired referees and judges from East New Britain and Buka to officiate at their tournaments previously but it proved to be a costly exercise.
He said boxing had a good following in Namatanai.
National tournament director Dick Larry said: “The union is always ready to help their affiliates with training for technical officials and coaches.
“Unfortunately, due to unavailability of funds, we are unable to conduct clinics for refereeing, judging and coaching.
But I am willing to come with national coach Mark Keto to run a course.”
He said the association would meet the expenses and the union will provide the expertise and training materials.
“We did this for Bougainville in 2017 and I’m sure that the Namatanai MP will help them,” Larry said.
“All they have to do is write to the union to get the president’s endorsement.”
Larry commended the association on bagging a number of medals at the national championships in Port Moresby last year.