The new Namibian Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (NPBWCB) on Friday lifted the suspension of the Salute Boxing Academy.
New board chairperson Ellison Hijarunguru, flanked by Ronald Kurtz, an executive member and the board’s lawyer, and vice chairperson Philip Mwandingi, revealed the new board’s first assignment was to deal with the boxing academy’s suspension.
The board was announced by Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service Jerry Ekandjo here last Monday.
He said at a media briefing in the capital on Friday morning, the sports minister alluded at the announcement of the new board that they need to clean up the image of boxing, and this was one step in that direction.
Kurtz said he met the previous legal practitioner who was dealing with this case.
“We concluded that there was no evidence to suspend Salute Boxing Academy; there was no charge sheet on the case and no evidence to formulate any charges.
“That being the case, it was noted that the board cannot continue with the suspension or any disciplinary action against the boxing academy,” he explained.
Kurtz also revealed that the two parties agreed that no claims or counter claims will be made by any parties involved.
Salute Boxing’s lawyer Mbushandje Ntinda expressed delight at the lifting of the suspension.
“We have always maintained that we did nothing wrong; the suspension had no basis. We also confirm that there will be no legal action from our side in the good name of boxing. We will work hand in hand with the board,” he noted.
The academy’s owner Kiriata Kamanya was also happy with the decision and revealed that they will announce some good news soon.
The board suspended Kamanya’s license on 26 July 2016, following reports that a boxing bonanza hosted by Salute Boxing in Walvis Bay a month earlier had turned nasty.
According to the suspension letter, the board charged that Kamanya in his capacity as “holder of certificate as promoter conducted himself in a violent and reprehensible manner”. – Nampa
–Namibian.com.na
