BOXING DAY

Boxing Day: Thank you EBA

The IOC’s Sport Administration Manual describes fair play as something that demonstrates attitudes and behaviour in sport consistent with the belief that sport is an ethical pursuit.

We are told that fair play does not include acts of violence, cheating, drug abuse or any form of exploitation in an effort to win. When elements such as these are introduced, the true competitive spirit is lost and there remains no purpose for sport.

Fair play does not only mean adherence to written rules; rather it describes the right attitude of sportsmen and sportswomen and the right spirit in which they conduct themselves; showing respect for others and care for their freedom from bodily or psychological harm. Fairness is trying to put oneself in the place of the other and act accordingly. Fair play is, first of all, a matter of personal commitment of the individual.

We witnessed all this and more during the recently relaunched Eswatini Boxing Association (EBA) boxing tournament, which was staged on Boxing Day at the Tums Waterworks. What a tournament! It’s been very long since we last witnessed such enthusiasm from the boxing fraternity.

Boxing seems to be on the right track and we would like to wish the Webster Lukhele led executive all the best, as they take the sport to the people and back to where it belongs – the top.

It is tournaments such as these that will popularise the sport.

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Dlomo too good for Gedlembane

It was a fun day indeed. The EBA executive committee deserve to be hailed for their creativity in ensuring; that their day was the perfect family outing, as they lined up a number of interesting bouts on the day. One of these bouts featured the Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council (ESRC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Darius Dlomo against well-known comedian and boxing ambassador, Gedlembane.

As captain of the sports industry, Dlomo was under immense pressure to deliver. He did not disappoint, as he clearly outclassed the much heavier Gedlembane, who it must be said looked threatening ahead of the bout. In the end, both boxers entertained the crowd with some impressive skills.

Another exciting bout, which was also an exhibition fight, pitted Athletics Eswatini PRO, Victor ‘Mavikana’ Dlamini against socialite and boxing ambassador, Themba ‘Mthimbawawa’ Xaba. This exciting clash of the titans ended in a pulsating draw.

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Rules there for a reason

Sport without rules is impossible and a sport in which the rules are frequently broken disintegrates and will eventually be abandoned. It is therefore in the interest of every athlete that rules should be kept and that they should be enforced with penalties when they are broken.

In the Olympic Games for instance, no doubt the world’s biggest sporting extravaganza, a serious and international breach of a rule would result in disqualification, as was the case when a fencer adapted his weapon to give him an illegal advantage. There were a few instances of cheating in the ancient Games and there have been very few in the modern Games. Efficient judging and officiating can and does prevent most cheating during competition.

The oaths, however, are not just administrative devices; they are solemn promises and they place personal responsibility for keeping the rules upon athletes and officials because, throughout human history, keeping a promise has been accepted as a duty even if and when there might be an immediate advantage in breaking it. The personal responsibility for observing the rules is at the centre of each and every athlete.

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New Year: new promise

We cannot deny the fact that the sports movement has had it tough in the last few months or so, mainly due to the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, despite all the hardships and challenges, we are proud to note that in general, we finished the year on a high with a splendid display by our team in the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games in Maseru, Lesotho.

We cannot downplay the effort of the whole team, which brought home a total of 10 medals from the games. This was a first for the country. It is what is giving us the energy and drive to look forward to the New Year. We want to continue with our programmes. It is our aim to develop the nation through quality sports and programmes, which seek to improve our people.

We take the opportunity to wish the sports movement a happy, blessed and prosperous New Year.

Let us cross over safely and responsibly.

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Find us:

www.sportscouncil.org.sz

Facebook: Eswatini Sports and Recreation Council

Media Officer: Dumisani Ntiwane 76691991/79691992

ntiwane@sportscouncil.org.sz

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“When you’ve achieved your goal, they will call you lucky because they didn’t witness the sleepless nights, criticism and hard work you had to go through”. – Thato Quotes.