▪️The President has been accused of sidelining key people such as former Interim President James Mawich, Secretary-General Martin Obonyo Hakim and coaches
▪️Disgusting gear shortages force boxers to share one gumshield
▪️In 2026 only one tournament – Independence Cup – has been held
▪️Lonely South Sudanese boxers feel cut off from the rest of the world with no exposure to big-time boxing
August 25, 2026
South Sudan boxing is on the ropes, battered by deep administrative rifts, extreme underfunding, and shocking health hazards that have left some boxers sharing one gumshield.
Once a sport of immense promise, boxing in the country is now facing an existential crisis. Stakeholders openly declare the sport is “on a crossroads” due to widespread apathy and leadership failure.
Local boxers face severe shortages of basic gear and infrastructure. The lack of funding is so acute that boxers are forced to share gumshields during training and bouts. This highly unhygienic practice exposes fighters to severe health risks, highlighting the neglect of a sport completely overshadowed by football and basketball.
A fractured leadership crisis has triggered an internal civil war at the South Sudan Boxing Federation (SSBF). President Teresa Athian Abdelbagi—wife of South Sudan Vice-President Hussein Abdelbagi—is facing intense scrutiny.
The fiercest opposition comes from within her own inner circle. James Mawich Mayian, the founder of the elite Jaborona Boxing Club and a revered coach, has turned from ally to chief critic. President Teresa appointed Mawich as Interim President in 2025 while she recuperated in the United States.
Now, Mawich accuses her of running a one-woman show. He claims that President Teresa has completely sidelined him, local coaches, and the federation’s Secretary General. The lack of administrative synergy has paralyzed local boxing.
“In 2026 we’ve held only one tournament, the Independence Day, which had very few fans,” Mawich told boxersworld.co.ke in a telephone interview.
“Boxers are now looking for a way to quit amateur boxing due to lack of proper direction emanating from poor leadership.
“It’s unfortunate that during the Independence tournament the head coach of the national team, Secretary General Hakim and myself were completely cut off.”
Mawich said the chilly relationship between Madam Teresa and the Secretary-General Martin Obonyo Hakim is a recipe for a mutiny in the federation.
“The president is trying to centralise everything. She has her own stamp and the SG has his own stamp. The two don’t work together. A very big mess,” observed Mawich.
In the wake of the current inactivity of boxing in South Sudan, lonely boxers feel sidelined from the rest of the world. Exposure for them is a foreign word.
Plans are underway for Mawich to lead the clubs in finding their own pathway to success.
“Ours will be a team of independent clubs. The big aim is to participate in external tournaments, we will not be party to their dormancy,” he said without elaborating preferring to leave them guessing.
“Our national team has lately not been to any residential training camp, not even sparring with different boxers from the region or other clubs.
“The last time our boxers were camped was when they were preparing for the Olympic Games qualifiers but unfortunately, they didn’t participate due to budgetary constraints.”
Mawich recounts the growth of boxing in South Sudan since the landlocked country attained independence on July 9, 2011 after a combined total of roughly 39 years of North-South civil war.
“Amateur boxing in South Sudan was steadily developing despite numerous challenges in the past and now it’s struggling due to poor leadership, honestly there are no clear goals to be achieved, there’s lack of direction, coordination and unity within the leadership,” said Mawich.
He went on: “Since the country’s independence in 2011, boxing has gradually grown from a small sporting activity into one that attracts many young people. The sport has become an important platform for promoting discipline, physical fitness, and hope among the youth.
“The South Sudan Boxing Federation has been struggling to organize competitions, identify talented athletes, and participate in regional and international events due to lack resources and transparency in the leadership.
“However, the sport is still in its developmental stage compared to many African countries with long-established boxing traditions. Young boxers are eager to compete and represent South Sudan internationally, but the growth of the sport is slowed by limited facilities, inadequate equipment, and financial constraints. With proper investment in support, South Sudan has the potential to become a strong boxing nation in East Africa and beyond in the future when it’s funded and managed well by people who have passion in boxing.
“There are many factors that continue to limit the development of boxing in South Sudan like limited financial support for boxing programs and competitions this includes prizes for boxers. In most tournaments South Sudanese boxers receive less than $5 after tournaments which can not put food on the table including covering medical expenses for those injured in competitions. Every boxer takes full responsiblity for their medical bills.
“We face lack of modern boxing gyms and adequate training facilities
Shortage of quality boxing equipment such as gloves, rings, headgear, and protective gear. In addition there is only one old ring and protective gears. What’s even unhealthy is that many boxers share mouth guards.
“There are very few opportunities for coaches and referees to receive advanced international training, our referees and coaches lack advanced courses.
“Limited exposure through international competitions due to high travel costs is another huge stumbling block to our progress including
poor media coverage compared to football and basketball which are widely reported.”
Mawich is unimpressed on the performance of the federation which he describes as ineffective in delivery.
“The current federation is more of personal property of an individual than for the people, it has lost its vision and direction.
“I have never seen any federation like this!
These challenges make it difficult for boxers to train consistently and compete at the highest level. Boxers and coaches are demotivated and have lost passion in boxing.”
So what’s the solution to the challenges? I ask Mawich who commands a lot of respect in the boxing fraternity including Madam Teresa herself, and that’s why she appointed him the Interim President when was recuperating in the USA.
“Addressing the challenges requires collaboration, unity of purpose between the government, federation, private companies, international boxing bodies, development partners and NGOs( UNFPA and IHO) who were supporting female boxers,” said Mawich, adding: “Key solutions include increasing government funding for sports, constructing modern boxing facilities, providing quality equipment, strengthening grassroots boxing programs in schools and communities, organizing regular national championships, investing in coach and referee education, attracting corporate sponsorships, and increasing participation in regional and international tournaments.
“Partnerships with organizations such as the IBA Africa and World Boxing can also provide technical assistance, training opportunities, and equipment support.”
Commenting on exposure of South Sudan’s national team, Mawich said:”Our national boxing team has participated in very few international regional, Africa and international competitions since independence due to financial constraints. We have sent fighters in two tournaments. However they did not participate due to poor weight management. Regular participation in big events such as the African Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships, East African competitions, Olympic qualification tournaments, Commonwealth Games and other international invitational tournaments will improve our standards and also increase the popularity of boxing which is the least popular sport among the young people in the country.
“While footballl and basketball remain the country’s most popular sports, boxing is still way below but it attracts young athletes because it promotes discipline, confidence, fitness, and self defence.”
Mawich has been actively involved in developing boxing in South Sudan through coaching, athlete development, administration, and promoting the sport at both community and national levels.
He founded Jaborona Boxing Club and is also their coach. He underwent training at Jubek boxiing facility.
“I support boxing programs, help organize competitions, and contribute to the growth of the South Sudan Boxing Federation,” said Mawich.
“I remain committed to identifying talented boxers and build a stronger future for boxing in my country. Before joining boxing, I was a coordinating South Sudan Kickboxing Federation and Bentiub Kickboxing Club. I was the secretary general for boxing and kickboxing under the armed violent reduction supported by Danksh Refugee Councils( DRC).”
At one time Mawich rose to become the acting president when Madam Teresa was recuperating in the US. Mawich takes us back to 2025 when he was at the top.
“When my president got ill, she appointed me as acting president to coordinate her activities with the partners and clubs. However, this raised a serious problem in the federation because her deputy and others were not impressed. I received a lot of threats, but I chose to be loyal and adhere to policy.
I managed to organise one tournament during her absence.
“It was a responsibility I accepted with commitment and dedication to the interests of South Sudan boxing.”
Who are some of the top boxers in South Sudan and their performance internationally? I ask Mawich.
“South Sudan has produced several talented amateur boxers who have represented the country with determination in regional and continental competitions. Despite limited resources, these athletes have demonstrated courage, discipline, and continuous improvement against experienced opponents from more established boxing nations. They are Okuma Jalaba, Cecilia James, Babara Lam, John Bol, Captain Deng and many others.
“Some of them have competed in African Championships, Olympic qualification events, and regional tournaments, gaining valuable international exposure and helping to raise South Sudan’s reputation in amateur boxing.”
We contacted South Sudan Boxing Federation President Madam Teresa to react to issues raised by Mawich but after waiting for over two weeks she had not responded at the time of publishing this story. Similar efforts with the Secretary General Hakim were also unsuccessful.
