ZBF QUESTIONS CHINYEMBA MOVE
…Federation says boxer left for the United States without clearance
By Cecilia Nayame
THE Zambia Boxing Federation (ZBF) says flyweight boxer Patrick Chinyemba was not cleared by the federation’s executive committee to turn professional with a new boxing stable in the United States (US).
ZBF general secretary Humphrey Kasosolwa said in an interview from Chingola that Chinyemba also left the country without the knowledge and blessings of the federation.
Reports indicate that the International Boxing Association (IBA) bronze medalist is currently in the US training with a new boxing stable in a bid to turn professional.
It is believed that the promoter facilitating the move concluded a deal directly with Chinyemba’s employers, Zambia National Service (ZNS), without involving the federation, paving the way for the boxer to leave for Miami last week for a training camp.
“As things stand, reports reaching us are that he is already out of the country to start his professional training with a certain stable in the United States of America,” Kasosolwa said.
He expressed disappointment at the manner in which the matter was handled, insisting that the federation was mandated to facilitate every boxer’s transition from amateur to professional ranks.
“As ZBF, we are mandated to make sure procedure is followed through our channel. It does not matter what it takes, but this is not the case with Patrick,” he said.
Kasosolwa said efforts to engage both the boxer and his employers proved unsuccessful despite several follow-ups.
“What we hear is that the same promoter who wants him has been dealing directly with Chinyemba’s employers, but no matter the case, our voice also matters because in future we will be considered accountable as the boxer falls under our federation,” he said.
Kasosolwa also said the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) referred all questions regarding the matter to ZNS.
“When we received the report, we first engaged the National Sports Council of Zambia, who guided us to write to ZNS. But despite all our efforts, everything was in vain. It is disappointing to say ZNS have never responded to us,” he said.
Despite the misunderstanding, Kasosolwa wished Chinyemba success in his professional ambitions.
“We are looking forward to seeing a successful deal at the end of the day despite him leaving without being cleared. Such things come with a lot of issues which may need our hand in future, but when one decides to leave like that, who are we to say no?” he said.
He urged local boxers to learn from former fighters whose careers suffered after bypassing proper procedures.
“We have seen such things happening in the past right here in Zambia. A boxer decides to turn professional without the blessings of the federation and when things begin to turn sour, that is when they want to run back to us,” Kasosolwa said.
He, however, reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to supporting amateur boxers in their career progression.
“If his employers have cleared him, who are we to say no? Our concern is very clear. We wanted a clear path for all this. We wanted to know the conditions put in place so that we also have documentation and sign somewhere as a federation,” he said.
Chinyemba is currently in Miami training with a new stable as he pursues a professional boxing career.
