Boxing body lays down rules

THE chairman of the 2011 National Amateur Boxing Championships in Vanimo has called on all affiliated members of the PNG Amateur Boxing Union (PNGABU)to attend the championships from Dec 1-5 in West Sepik.
Luke Tom, who has been kept busy since the arrival of PNGABU officials Dick Larry and Joe Aufa last week said he had been instructed by PNGABU executives  to accept only affiliated members for the tournament.
As of yesterday 15 associations were confirmed as affiliated and ready for the five-day tournament. 
The are NCD, Milne Bay, Kairuku, Abau, Gulf (Southern region), Bougainville, New Ireland, East New Britain, West New Britain, Manus(NGI), Bulolo, Lae, Wewak, Aitape and host, Vanimo (Momase) while centres from the highlands region have until tomorrw.
Apart from hosts boxing teams from as far as Nuku and Telefomin have expressed their interest to take part and their boxers will appear as novices during the championships.
Tom cautioned associations who were not affiliated to the national body that they would be disappointed on arrival.
According to the PNGABU all the associations were  given ample time to affiliate.
No boxing associations would be given special treatment upon arrival in Vanimo.
Tom said Bereina Amateur Boxing Association (BABA) were not recognised by the PNGABU and thus could not take part.
They also have an outstanding court case against PNGABU – which would be treated as contempt of court if they are allowed to take part.
Tom said as close of the deadline yesterday, Bereina along with other centres had yet to submit their registration to LOC for participation which automatically ruled them out of the championship.
However, BABA executive Andrew Magaiva decried his association’s treatment by the union claiming they had taken steps to fulfill the requirements of the union in order to be a member of the PNGABU.
“We paid our K250 affiliation fee in April during the national selection trials in Port Moresby,” Magaiva said.
He claimed the PNGABU had sided with the Kairuku Amateur Boxing  Association even though BABA had the most clubs and boxers from the Kairuku-Hiri district.
He said the District Court in Port Moresby had already awarded damages to BABA for costs incurred in participating at previous PNGABU events.
“The next court order we are seeking is to be recognised by the PNGABU and have our boxers eligible for national selection.”
Magaiva said if the court ruled in BABA’s favour ( this month) then that would validate BABA’s position.
Meanwhile, PNGABU secretary general John Avira said the union considered the situation between KABA and BABA an “association matter” and called on both parties to combine instead of having the split.
He said PNGABU only recognised KABA as the district affiliate.