Boxing SA board earns Minister McKenzie’s praise

Led by BSA Chairperson of the Board Ayanda Khumalo, the South African boxing fraternity will be having a dialogue with WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman this morning at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg. 

Speaking to the media after his budget vote this week, McKenzie shared how he’s been impressed by BSA’s progress...

"I'm so happy with what that new board has done under the leadership of Ayanda Khumalo, and I'm not the only person who is impressed. The WBC is so impressed they want to bring an event here now, and they can see that boxing is moving in South Africa. As I'm speaking today they are meeting with some banks for sponsorship, and some people have even approached me to get involved in women's boxing."

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The BSA board was appointed in December 2024, and they will be finishing 18 months in office in June. They took over a troubled organisation, but today McKenzie says they are one of the best performing federations in the country and is also very impressed with the CEO Tsholo Lejaka.

Meanwhile, McKenzie has also given an update on LIV Golf, after the initial funders—the Saudi Arabian government pulled out of the sport, leaving the growing event in no-man's land. 

The department had budgeted R100 million for the LIV Golf tournament that drew over 100 000 spectators in the space of three days, but paid R85 million, with R15 million coming from sponsors.  

McKenzie gives an update on the future of LIV Golf after the Saudis pulled out...

"I've spoken to Mr O'Neil twice and I've spoken to the Chief Operating Officer I think six times, and I can say that South Africans have nothing to fear. There will be LIV Golf, they are working around the clock with the players and I think it will be an even more exciting event as things go on.

"We are waiting for them to announce how the new LIV Golf will look - very soon."

With changes taking place at Multichoice after the takeover of French company Canal Plus, there have also been casualties on the sporting front, particularly Athletics South Africa and Swimming South Africa, whose broadcast deals have since not been renewed. 

This has also left a huge gap in their revenue streams, but McKenzie assures that these are very important Olympic sporting codes for the country and they will not be left behind to fend for themselves...

"I've been meeting with SuperSport and Canal Plus regarding this matter, we're trying to find the softest landing. We will find a way and we will not turn our backs on our federations."

PHOTO - Boxing SA