Leemisa Thuseho
LESOTHO Boxing Association (LeBA) president Katiso Tšenoli has applauded the Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur (AIBA) for its recent decision to waive national federations’ membership fees payments this year.
The decision was taken in light of the Covid-19 pandemic which has decimated incomes and hindered sporting activities.
Tšenoli said the decision was particularly good for countries like Lesotho that are struggling financially. The decision is therefore, a huge relief.
“We are happy with the decision and we support it because even last year we struggled to pay the fees,” said Tšenoli.
Last year Lesotho failed to pay the US$500 (about M7 500) membership fees after the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC) delayed remitting its subvention.
Following its recent board meeting, AIBA has also issued a membership policy providing for high standards of governance to be met by all the members including Lesotho.
The new membership criteria dictate that officials should be democratically elected without the influence of third party or government. Officials should be reputable, delegates at an AIBA Congress are validly appointed while national federations must ensure that each gender is adequately represented in the committees.
In accepting the new membership policy, Tšenoli said they had already been striving to meet all the set criteria before it was made mandatory.
Out of 12 LBA executive committee members, there are only two females and Tšenoli said they were already campaigning to increase the number of females in leadership positions.
