Boxers need 100m/- for Olympics qualifying games

The Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT) says they need more than 100m/- to prepare the team for the 2012 London Olympics Africa qualifying games which will be held next year in Casablanca, Morocco.Speaking in a telephone interview, the BFT secretary general, Mashaga Makore, said his federation has planned to send 10 boxers to the competition and they will need more than 100m/- to prepare the team.

He said they will soon send letters to companies, individuals and organizations asking for sponsorship, and expressed his optimistic that they will get the sponsors.

“We are optimistic that we will get the money from companies and organizations. We will send the proposals to companies, individuals and organizations asking for help,” he said.

In another development, Makore said the country was given the opportunity to send female boxers to the London Olympic Games, but it will be very tricky to send them as they have not prepared.

Makore also admitted that they do not have enough amateur female boxers and could not say the number of women boxers who can be allowed to represent the country at the Games.

He, however, said the women team will not seek qualifications.

Makore also disclosed that the international amateur boxing federation (AIBA) has agreed to send an instructor who will conduct a training course for boxing coaches starting from January 16-24 in Kibaha, Coast Region.

He named the Senegalese-based boxing instructor as Josef Dio, adding that the coach will arrive on January 15, next year.

Makore called upon all boxing coaches who want to further their coaching qualifications to attend the course.