Funding constraints force boxers out of qualifiers in Samoa

By ISAAC LIRI
The Papua New Guinea Boxing Union will not be sending boxers to the Youth Olympic qualifiers in Samoa next week due to funding constraints.
Union chairman Dr Gideon Kendino said it was disappointing not to send any representative to the event but considering the financial status, it was a decision that had to be made.
“The two boxers who were supposed to represent PNG at the qualifiers for a spot at the Youth Olympics in Argentina in October were Celestine Aisa and Kila Dobo both in the under 60kg division,” Kendino said.
“It is disappointing that we are not sending any of our boxers to the qualifiers.
“We spent a lot of money on the Commonwealth Games and we nearly won a medal.
“With funding constraints, president John Avira and I decided not to send our boxers to qualifiers.”
PNGBU will now encourage the boxers to prepare up for the 2019 Pacific Games.
“All our boxers are now focused on the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa,” Kendino said.
“We understand that Aisa and Dobo have been training hard for the Youth Olympic qualifiers, but we have to consider the reality before attending such events.”