COMMONWEALTH BOXING FEDERATION
Minutes of an Informal Meeting of the Commonwealth Boxing Federation held at Rydges Hotel, Exhibition Street, Melbourne, Australia on Friday, 24th March, 2006 commencing at 10.30am.
1. PRESENT:
General Francis Nyangweso (Chairman), Professor Anwar Chowdhry (President) S. Tapueluelu (Tonga), P. Wolframu, (Tonga), T. Smith (Wales), Bhupendar Singh (India), Col. P.K.M. Raja (India), Major (R) W. Abdul Hamid (Malaysia), Major (R) M. Otbwar (Malaysia), I. Mbote (Kenya), H. Narayan (Cook Islands), C. Kenny (Cook Islands, P. Pulomi (Tonga), G. Rajcoomar (Mauritius) A. Lynch (England), B. Graham (Jamaica), K. Goodison (Jamaica), S. Kebualemani (Botswana), L. Heimuti (Tonga), S. Abdul Kadir (Singapore), E. Folette (Seychelles), S. Gundasay (Malaysia), A. Keniss (Namibia), W. Miller (Bahamas), J. Avira (PNG), L. Nuau (PNG), C. Forde (Trinidad & Tobago), R. Edwards (Trinidad), L. Daniels (Guyana), J. Tchwlm (Cameroon), S.B. Corres (The Gambia), N. Michael (Tanzania),I. Mwasanga (Tanzania), D. Adams (Grenada), M. Touma (Egypt), P. King (England), S. Whippy (Fiji), J. Makana (Solomon Islands), M. Ade. Ojo (Nigeria), P.E.E. Abhukhegbe (Nigeria), S. Antwi (Ghana), P. McCrory (Northern Ireland), Gen. Joayeni (Nigeria), Col. T.V.Mahafi (Lesotho), H. Embuldeniya (Sri Lanka), H. Sakala (Malawi), T. Tanner (Australia), P. Goodes (Australia), J. Marshall (Barbados), J. Little (Cook Islands), R.K. Indroserri (Sri Lank), A. Mofu (South Africa), P. Kruger (South Africa), Z. Aulu (Swaziland), M. Collins (Wales), D. Campbell (Scotland), M. Auram (Pakistan), R. Lampstey (Ghana), C. Campbell (Sierra Leone), T. Lesay (Sierra Leone).
2. WELCOME:
The Chairman welcomed all present explaining that, as the current Secretary had been unable to carry out any recent duties owing to illness, the opportunity had been taken to call this informal meeting whilst all member countries were present at the Commonwealth Games.
He gave a brief outline of the Commonwealth Boxing Federation stating that it had been formed in 1976 in Montreal with the view to having more competition for Commonwealth countries. To date there had been 3 Commonwealth Championships conducted – Belfast (10 countries), Malaysia (22 countries) and Glasgow (17 counties). This was amended by the representative from Sir Lanka who informed the meeting that Commonwealth Championships had also been held in South Africa in 1996.
The next Championships will be held in Northern Ireland in 2007 prior to the 2008 Olympic Games with the exact date to be advised. Delhi will host the Commonwealth Championships as a Test Match prior to the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and London will host the Championships in 2011 prior to the 2012 Olympic Games.
2.1 The Chairman reported that the position of the Secretary of the Commonwealth Boxing Federation had become vacant and it was in order for this meeting to endorse a replacement as an interim measure until the next official elections. This matter would be dealt with later in the meeting.
3. Agenda
A motion was put T. Tanner (Australia), seconded Fiji that the Agenda as presented be used. The motion was carried.
4. Structure of meeting and Positions
Professor Chowdhry addressed the meeting apologising for the late notification to delegates but stated that it was an opportune time when all Commonwealth countries were present and some issues could be addressed in this informal forum, one such issue being the appointment of an interim Secretary. The last official meeting of the Federation was held at the time of the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games when the present Office Bearers were elected.
Professor Chowdhry stated that it was also desirous for the Federation to organise Junior, Intermediate and Senior Championships therefore the organisation must be made a more active organisation with the Commonwealth Games boxing competition being next in importance to the Olympic Games as all five continents are represented in the organisation.
Two tentative timeframes were suggested for the next meeting – 1: The AIBA Congress; 2: Belfast when the next Championships are held.
Professor Chowdhry also reported that he had spoken with some delegates re the position of Secretary.
4.1 It was proposed Professor Chowdhry, seconded S. Spitalnic (Australia) that Paul King (England) be appointed interim Secretary to hold office until the next elections. The motion was carried.
4.1.1 S. Spitlanic (Australia) asked if funds would be made available for the running of the Secretariat. Professor Chowdhry stated that this would be discussed in the near future with Paul King.
4.1.2 The representative from Namibia stated that he agreed with the nomination but queried if a nomination could be made by the chair. Professor Chowdhry informed the meeting that it was quite in order for him to propose a motion.
4.1.3 Dr. J.O. Ayeni (Nigeria) agreed with what had been proposed but would like a firm date set for elections
4.1.4 Professor Chowdhry suggested that the next elections could be held at the time of the AIBA Conference or if this was not possible, at the time of the Championships on Belfast.
Professor Chowdhry commented on the progression of the number of referees and judges throughout the history of boxing and the different methods of scoring which had been used, stating that the current method was well received and respected and would hold the sport of boxing in good stead internationally. It was now hoped with the introduction of the computer scoring that this would eliminate protests as there had been no protests in the World Championships in China and none at the 2006 commonwealth Games so far. This has now been enhanced with a ‘spy’ camera which enables the appointed Technical Delegate to point out the discrepancies of Referees.
Professor Chowdhry encouraged members to report any problems directly to him as they could be dealt with in-house instead of publicly. If Boxing is removed as a sport from the Olympic Games there will be no support from Governments therefore Boxing must be positively promoted by everyone in order to keep the sport in good standing.
5. GENERAL BUSINESS:
5.1 It was noted that the Vice President from Malaysia and Delegate from South Africa had passed away and it was resolved that letters of condolence be forwarded to the respective families.
5.2 T. Tanner (Australia) addressed the meeting welcoming all to Australia and hoping that all were enjoying their stay. He also gave notice to the meeting that Australia would be proposing a change to the WABA Code, Article 9 in that there needs to be some provision for elasticity in this Article under certain circumstances.
5.3 B. Singh (India) stated that women’s boxing had become popular on all continents and India will be hosting the 2006 World Championships for Women. He requested all Member Association to apply for Women’s Boxing to be included in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The Secretary General, Paul King, would also contact the Commonwealth Games Council to inform them of this intended provision.
5.4 S. Kebualemani (Botswana) requested that a list of vacant positions be made available for the next meeting. He also requested that, in future, all members of the Executive Committee of the Federation should be seated on the head table so that people could become familiar with them.
5.5 Paul King, the newly appointed Secretary spoke to the meeting stating that he intends to have a website for the Federation which will have photos of all Officers, contacts for all Associations and general information on tournaments, etc.
5.6 A. Iconiss (Namibia) proposed a representative from South Africa for the Executive but was informed that this informal meeting did not have the jurisdiction to accept nominations for these positions but that the nomination would be considered at the appropriate time.
5.7 Affiliation Fees: Delegates were reminded that Affiliation Fees were due (USD100) and this should be paid to Paul King. It was noted that AIBA Affiliation Fees should be paid direct to AIBA. These must be paid to be eligible to vote at the next Conference.
5.8 Paul King thanked the Australian Government and Boxing Australia for conducting a memorable Commonwealth Games.
The meeting closed at 11.55am.