THE annual Inter-Cities Boxing Tournament that was
scheduled to kick off from May 20 to 25, this year in Mwanza has been postponed
indefinitely.
The tournament that normally attracts teams from East
African cities now hangs on a thread, as the organisers are now busy to fix a
new date for the event.
Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT) Secretary-General,
Makore Mashaga told the ‘Daily News’ in Dar es Salaam that the event, which is
organised by his federation in collaboration with Mwanza Boxing Association and
East African Boxing Federation will not take place at that dates planned
earlier.
“There are changes on the dates for Inter-Cities event;
this is due to the reasons beyond our wish. We’ll announce the new date later
after consultation with hosts Mwanza.
We’re also still finalising some important logistics,” he
said. Although Mashaga assured ‘Daily News’ that the event will be taking place
this year, they might find it difficult to hold it within the near future
because BFT might find itself occupied with other international fixtures.
The BFT will also fail to accomplish their wish to use
the event as spear gear for East African region national team’s preparation
ready for the international arenas. According to BFT, the coming international
event include African Boxing Championship slated for Mauritius in June, this
year.
The national team is also expected to raise high
Tanzanian flag at African Zone Three tournament in Cameroon later this year.
The East African region has planned on the mind to use Inter-Cities Boxing
tournament to sharpen their national teams ready for the international
assignments.
Inter-cities event will involve teams from Kenya, Uganda,
Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi cities and national teams. Tanzanian cities which
expect to field their teams at the prestigious event include Dar es Salaam,
Arusha, Tanga, Mbeya and hosts Mwanza. (Source)