Pro-boxing promoters fault TPBRC on bouts sanction fees increase
Tanzania Association of Professional Boxing Promoters and Agents (TAPBPA) chairman Evarist “Mopao” Ernest speaks to journalists (not in photo) about challenging the decision made by the Tanzania Professional Boxing Regulatory Commission (TPBRC) to increase sanction fees for bouts in the country. Right is Siah Mosha, who is TAPBPA’s assistant secretary and left is Ndewoysa Mbise, a member of TAPBPA’s body. PHOTO | MAJUTO OMARY
What you need to know:
- In their letter dated December 16, 2023, the Commission directed that bouts with the first-class status will be charged Sh5 million, middle-class bouts (Sh1 million) and promoters organizing third-class fights will pay Sh50,000.
Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Association of Professional Boxing Promoters and Agents (TAPBPA) has opposed the decision made by the Tanzania Professional Boxing Regulatory Commission (TPBRC) to increase sanction fees for bouts in the country.
TPBRC announced to raise the sanction fees as part of its revenue sources.
In their letter dated December 16, 2023, the Commission directed that bouts with the first-class status will be charged Sh5 million, middle-class bouts (Sh1 million) and promoters organizing third-class fights will pay Sh50,000.
The letter, signed by TPBRC's secretary-general, George Silasi, explained that the decision was made during the committee's executive committee meeting held on November 4, 2023.
Evarist "Mopao" Ernest, TAPBPA chairman, stated that the decision contradicts the Commission's constitution, which requires such decisions to be approved by the body's general meeting.
Mopao noted that before the Commission elected its new leadership, promoters were paying between Sh50, 000 and Sh300, 000. After the new leaders were elected, they proposed Sh500, 000 as sanction fee for first-class bouts, and the matter was approved by the general meeting as per Section 6.1 of TPBRC's constitution.
"We agreed because the matter was approved by the general meeting according to Section 6.1 of the TPBRC’s constitution. As we speak, there is no general meeting that has taken the decision to increase the sanction fees. Where has the executive committee got this mandate?
“This is not accepted as it demoralises promoters to develop the game in the country. We are the ones who look for sponsors, find professional boxers, and pay them.
“We call upon them to follow the rules and regulations and change their decision,” said Mopao. He explained that various costs hinder them from staging numerous professional boxing bouts in the country, and they have repeatedly requested the body’s leaders to reconsider.
In his response to the matter, TPBRC president Chaurembo Palasa acknowledged the changes in sanction fees as part of the body's effort to increase revenue.
Palasa said that the executive committee has the mandate, and promoters have been given three options for sanction fees.
“It is an open fact that there are fights that have many sponsors while others have none. You cannot charge them equally on that matter. There is a hidden agenda against us on the matter,” said Palasa.
