National boxing challenge deferred to allow for Apec meet

By ISAAC LIRI
THE National Amateur Boxing Championships have been moved to December to make way for the Apec summit.
Tournament director Dick Larry said they made the decision during a committee meeting in Port Moresby on Sunday. “We planned to have it in Port Moresby in September to coincide with the Independence celebrations, but we can’t ignore Apec,” Larry said.
“We’ve heard that Apec is going to use most of the elite sporting facilities in Port Moresby.
“I don’t think moving the national championships will affect the preparation of the boxers.
“They’ve been training and we expect them to continue.
“We’ll be using the championships to select a team for next year’s Pacific Games in Samoa so all our elite boxers will be on show.
“The PNG Boxing Union (PNGBU) is planning to bring a big team to the Pacific Games, with around 20 boxers — 10 men and 10 women — so we’ll see how we go.”
Larry said Mamose and Southern would hold their regional championships in September.
Mamose will hold theirs in Wewak and Southern will have theirs in Central. “We’re not sure about New Guinea Islands and the Highlands, but the two regions have confirmed that they would prepare for the national championships,” Larry said.
Meanwhile, Larry has urged PNGBU affiliations to pay their fee of K500 this month.