Boxing clears air on use of funds

By DENNYS IORERE and LESLIE OMARO
PNG Amateur Boxing Union (PNGABU) pre­sident-elect John Avira has denied claims that K30,000 donated for the national championships in Vanimo, West Sepik, was mismanaged.
He told The National last night that the claims were “totally untrue” and he would be providing acquittals to submit to member associations.
Avira added that some of the funds were used to buy tickets for participants from Rabaul, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Alotau, West New Britain and Lae for the championships.
“To promote the sport we have to cater for the small centres. We cannot pay for every player’s tickets. We know that NCD is a big association and has the support of various sponsors.
“Boxing had suffered because of infighting and I call for round table talks. I believe in working together as a team to move the sport forward,” Avira said.
NCD boxing official Honk Kiap had queried funds committed by Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah (K20,000) and National Gaming Control Board (K10,000) for the championships.  
He claimed the monies were never used to help the associations fly their boxers to the tournament.
He also criticised the election of the new PNGABU executives in Vanimo. The executives are Avira, Richard Seneve (vice-president), Pauline Nuau (secretary) and Pilus Tatevi (treasurer).
Kiap, who is the NCDC deputy city manager, claimed the election was illegal and unfair.
Despite the lack quorum, he claimed the caretaker administration went ahead with the AGM on Dec 2. However, Avira verified that there were 14 associations present so they went ahead with the meeting.
“We followed the democratic process.
“With 75% of the members present it qualified for a meeting so we had a quorum,” he said.
 He added that Kiap had arrived the following day to find out that the AGM had already been held.
Avira also clarified that Kiap was also a nominee for the president’s post during the AGM.
However, he was not present and there was no association to second his nominee and therefore he could not be voted in as present.
Avira also said he would be meeting with Kiap today to discuss certain issues and come to a compromise.
“I want to tell the public that PNGABU politics is far from over.
“They ran rings around and rut the elections,” he said.
Kiap said he has a letter declaring the election null and void which he will be sending to the international boxing body AIBA and other concerned bodies.
“I want a sports tribunal to look into how the election was conducted and also the tribunal must stop any attempt by these executives to train and send boxers to the Pacific Games and Olympic qualifiers.
Kiap when questioning the election of the new PNGABU executives said the executives were not members of a boxing club or boxing association in the country.
“I want to question their eligibility as what gives them a legal standing