Sports minister Gayton McKenzie said the two-day national boxing convention held at the East London International Convention Centre was worth every penny spent to organise it even though he could not reveal the exact amount.
He was speaking on the last day of the successful event which started on Thursday and drew scores of boxing stakeholders and guests around the country from the corporate sector, including a presentation by Arena Holdings coastal commercial officer Bongani Siqoko.
Siqoko highlighted the company’s long boxing involvement through its flagship newspapers as it transitioned into a commercial aspect through its streaming wing Viva Nation TV.
Others who made similar presentation were SABC TV, e-tv and SuperSport, all highlighting how their involvement had shaped boxing in one way or the other.
McKenzie, who announced a number programmes, said he was prepared to justify the amount spent to organise the event if asked.
“Right now I do not know how much it cost to hold this event but any amount is worth seeing all these people here discussing plans of returning the sport to its former glory,” he said.
“I am happy with how this convention went and I must thank everyone who made it possible; from the promoters, my staff and Boxing SA.”
McKenzie, who had attendees eating out of his hand with relevant remarks, revealed he would launch a Steve Tshwete national boxing tournament that would be held in all the provinces starting in April.
McKenzie said despite serving in another party, Tshwete was his idol, having played a crucial role in shaping sporting landscape in the country.
“I am not jealous to acknowledge a good man when I see one and that is why I want to honour Tshwete, because he was a great sports minister.”
Having undertaken to repair the Orient Theatre by Monday, he said the main tournament would be held at the iconic venue.
Asked about the criteria to be used to select promoters for the tournaments, he said: “BSA is already working on ironing out those technicalities and I have told them that I need a report as soon as possible.”
BSA acting chief executive Tsholofelo Lejaka said the body would look at several factors when making a decision about the tournaments.
McKenzie admitted that the department had failed the boxing industry by treating it as a step-child.
“I am here begging for forgiveness because we failed you, so I do not want to come here and be arrogant,” he said.
He said he would work for all boxing tournaments in SA to be recorded and then packaged to sell to television and streaming companies.
Daily Dispatch
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