NCD boxing to run tournament for team selection

By ISAAC LIRI
TOP amateur boxers from the National Capital District are expected to meet for a tournament at Murray Barracks’ Ben Moide club, on Sunday, says NCD Boxing Association tournament director Mark Keto, pictured.
Keto said the tournament would be used to select boxers to represent NCD in the upcoming National Amateur Boxing Championships scheduled for December in Lae, Morobe.
“It’s important for boxers in NCD to fight on Sunday because that’s the only way they can get picked for the championships,” Keto said.
“Getting selected for the championships is important because according to the criteria, that is the only way our top boxers can get selected for next year’s Pacific Games in Samoa. “Our national representatives like John Ume and Laisani Soma (female) who represented the country at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year are also expected to take the ring if they are looking to be selected,” he said.
“The tournament is the only selection pathway for NCD boxers. That is why we are encouraging them to be there.”
The weigh in and medical checks will be done as early as 7am on Sunday before the bouts begin around 10am.
Keto said the election of an interim committee to head the NCD Boxing Association would be held on the day as well during the one-day tournament.
He urged all judges and referees to make themselves available to participate in the election.
Currently the only other active boxing association in the region is the Kairuku Amateur Boxing Association headed by Andrew Magaiva.