By CHARLIE DUMAVI
PAPUA New Guinea Boxing Council and the light weight boxing champion in the country are calling on the government and the interested sponsors to support bring back the glory of boxing.
The newly established PNG Boxing Council interim president Ben Micah and the PNG light weight champion Junior Raka are calling on the PNG Sports Foundation and interested business organizations to support the sporting code of boxing.
Micah said boxing is one of the sports that promoted the country at world level in the past and this needs to be revive.
“It’s good we promote group sports like rugby and soccer but boxing is a one man sport where fighters put their lives on the line and when he wins PNG gets the glory. I am challenging the government, the sports foundation, the ministry of sports and also the sponsors to continue their support to professional boxing,” said Micah.
Ben Micah also appealed to all local boxing clubs and their coaching staff to find creative and innovative ways to prepare and improve in the sport of boxing to get in the ranking like other boxers in Asia and the world.
“The PNG Boxing Council will also try to organize fights in the local levels especially in the provinces so we can have proper titles and belts in the national level to rank the fighters with others parts of Asia.”
Micah passionate about boxing in the country officially signed the World Boxing Association-Asia Super Featherweight Title fight contract recently at Sanctuary Hotel. The Fight will see the local fighter, Junior Raka going against his opponent Roldan Aldea from Philippines on 21 April, 2021 at the Sir John Guise indoor stadium in Port Moresby.
Junior Raka also expressed that it is truly a challenge for sports people in PNG to train and prepare for such sporting opportunities with less availability of facility and equipment in the country.
“We face a lot of challenges in the country. It is not like other countries where all equipment and facilities are provided. Here we struggle to get to compete in world stage. Therefore, I would like to ask the government to support us with improving our training facilities and equipment. This will boost us to prepare and grab golden opportunities like this fight and to develop sports in the country,” said Junior Raka.
Junior Raka along with PNG Boxing Council interim president Ben Micah conveyed their word of appreciation towards the organizations and individuals that continue to invest in the sporting code of boxing in the country.