Hosting African Boxing championship double challenge for Cameroon - AFBC president.

The AFBC boss was speaking during a press conference on Wednesday April 5 at the newly inaugurated institution headquarters in Yaoundé. 

The gathering with press was aimed at bringing them up to speed with regards with the organisation of the tournament. 

It comes at a time when Cameroon is bracing up to organise the 20^th edition of the African Boxing Championship in June. 

The AFBC president told press men that hosting the African Championship is a significant milestone for Cameroon. 

He however insisted that it will be double challenge. Firstly because Cameroon will have to meet up with expectations as a renowned destination for international competitions

Also, the event will be organised by the president of the African boxing confederation, who hails from the Central African nation. 

“It is a very important tournament for us. Not only because it will be a first challenge for the AFBC at the local level but also because Cameroon is accustomed to hosting these sorts of events.”

“But the difference here is that, those events organised by bodies were not led by a Cameroonian as president. It is a double challenge that we have before us to organise the African Boxing Championship.”

“We expect to have a lot of nations to compete at the tournament. Last year we had 33 nations, and knowing that this tournament will serve as ranking on the continent, more nations will want to participate.”

“This competition will be coming barley 2 years to the Olympic Games in 2024. It will be coming shortly after we organised the African Boxing Championship in Maputo a few months ago.”

The African Boxing Championship will be second major tournament organised by the AFBC president since his election at the helm of the body last year. 

During the presser, Bertrand Magloire Mendouga revealed that all hands are on deck for a successful organisation of the African Boxing Championship this year. 

The African Boxing championship provides an opportunity for African boxers to showcase their skills and compete against some of the best boxers on the continent.

The African Boxing Championship is scheduled to run from the June 15-25 at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Yaoundé. 

Several boxers from across the continent will compete at the competition in both the men and women’s categories. 

Organizers say the African Boxing Championship will be part of the new boxer classification system. 

This implies that boxers through the tournament will gain points to boost their qualification for the “Paris 2024” Olympic Games in France. 

Positive Balance Sheet 

The AFBC president in his opening address, seized the occasion to present the balance sheet six months into office. 

He revealed that he was poised to restore visibility to the sports through several activities. He added that The AFBC is committed to promoting the sport of boxing in Africa and providing opportunities for young boxers to develop their skills and pursue a career in the sport.

Mendouga said after over a decade in the dark due to internal squabbles, and managerial upheavals, his administration remains committed to restore order and thrive the sport. 

The AFBC president said after his election to the top job, he organised a Boxing Day in Kinshasa. He did not take his foot off the gas as he went on to organise the first ever African Boxing Championship since 2017. 

The boxing jamboree which took place in Maputo, Mozambique brought together 34 countries and was largely successful according to the AFBC president. 

The revival of the African Boxing Championship, Mendouga said, saw some innovations introduced like the prize money for winners.