VIP Boxing Academy boxers frustrated
The VIP Boxing Academy is hosting some of its boxers as they were unable to go home due to being born in the Eastern Cape; therefore, travelling was not an option.
The VIP Boxing Academy in Benoni has reached a crossroads.
When the president made his announcement on March 16 that all sporting events and large gatherings were to either be cancelled or postponed, the sporting community, VIP being part of them, started to panic.
“It has been difficult during this pandemic due to the fact that the matches we were expecting to take place were either cancelled or most of the matches were going to be handled only in the weeks after lockdown had been lifted,” said Amahle Mahlasela.
The boxers were all in a panic as this was their only source of income.”There was a funding aid offered, but unfortunately our boxers didn’t qualify due to not having signed contracts. Therefore, they did not and will not receive any funds to assist them,” said Mahlasela. One of the biggest problems boxers face is not receiving their salaries.
“The life of a boxer is not an easy one, explained Mahlasela.”They receive money as they fight, which is a tough decision for them to make. Do they chase their dreams or worry about money?”
Some of the boxers, such as Sharadene Fortuin, Sisonke Mashoba and Clement Pilusa, have been living at the gym during the pandemic. Fortuin, one of VIP’s female boxing champs, shared her concerns.”I had high hopes about the money that I was going to receive.”I have spent over a year not having a fight and this year things were looking up, but they quickly went south in no time at all. Fortuin is the breadwinner back home, so not being able to make money was a huge blow for her. She also suffered the loss of four family members during lockdown and was unable to go home to be with the family she has left.
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Another one of the champs, Bukiwe Nonina, had a world title match where she was to defend her world champion titles, but that match was cancelled too. Unfortunately, Nonina also lost her father, leaving her having to head back home. “Kopane Mokena and other boxers from nearby provinces are at home and have shared their frustrations with regards to not being able to train. “Sisonke Mashoba, a boxer who had high hopes with regards to the upcoming match that he had, was left gutted when he heard his match has been cancelled due to Covid-19. Pilusa just started his boxing career after completing matric last year and is now left with a delay in his dreams, says Mahlasela.
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During lockdown, the gym has had boxers cooped up who needed to blow off some steam.”We take all the necessary precautions to protect them, but to also allow them to keep their fitness up and blow off some steam by having one-on-one sessions with their coaches (Thabo Ntabanyene and Harry Manaka),” Mahlasela explained.”Masks, sanitiser, you name it, but we have to keep these boxers occupied somehow.”Due to the lack of income coming in from both the gym and the boxers, the gym doesn?t know for how long they will still be able to shelter the boxers. “All the boxers camping here are looking at other options available to them during this time as a way to send money home to assist their families during this time. As for the gym, we just keep praying for a miracle and donations, anything that can help us keep giving these boxers a roof over their heads,” said Mahlasela.
