▪️Mozambique Boxing Federation President Gabriel Junior wondered why they have been denied participation yet the test results arrived today in Glasgow from Portugal
July 23, 2026
A bureaucratic knockout has crushed the dreams of Africa’s finest boxers before they could even step into the ring at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
In a decision sparking widespread fury, World Boxing (WB) organizers have officially barred Mozambique and several African nations, including Gabon, from competing in the Commonwealth Games. The rigid stance has sidelined two-time African light-middleweight champion Alcinda Dos Santos and her three compatriots, despite the medical test results arriving in Glasgow today, July 23, 2026.
The controversy centers on mandatory medical tests conducted in Portugal. The Mozambican delegation pleaded with the organisers to include their boxers in the draws because they were sure the test samples were on the way but they refused.
Mozambique begged for a 24-hour extension. True to their word, the certified test results arrived in Glasgow today from Portugal.
However, WB organizers remained totally adamant and refused to reverse the ban.
Mozambique Boxing Federation President, Gabriel Junior, did not hold back his anger over the rigid treatment of his boxers.
“We pleaded with them to give us just 24 hours we provide the samples but they refused,” a furious Gabriel Junior told boxersworld.co.ke, Africa’s authoritative boxing website. “I’m so disappointed my boxers have been barred from the Games.”
The decision is being widely condemned as a massive embarrassment for World Boxing. By prioritizing strict administrative deadlines over the spirit of sportsmanship, WB has denied a global stage to Alcinda Dos Santos—one of the continent’s most celebrated and decorated athletes. Her three teammates share the same heartbreaking fate, leaving African boxing fans questioning the fairness of the sport’s governing body.
Mozambique Olympic Committee took all the steps to ensure the necessary procedures were followed as their communication here explains:
“The Mozambican Boxing Federation was recently accepted into World Boxing—just days before the registration deadline for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games—which allowed for their registration to be accepted and the delegation to be subsequently restructured.
“There are no laboratories in Mozambique capable of performing these tests; local labs merely collect samples and send them to Portugal, with results taking an average of about three weeks. This tight time frame left no margin for unforeseen issues that could compromise the Mozambican athletes’ participation. Given that boxing had won medals in the previous edition of the Games, the COM chose to give the athletes this opportunity, despite the unfavorable deadlines for meeting the requirements.
“Due to technical issues, the laboratory has not yet submitted the results—originally scheduled for presentation at the technical meeting—promising to do so on July 23rd.
“Despite providing proof of payment for the test and sample collection, as well as an email from the laboratory confirming that the results would only be delivered on Thursday due to technical issues, the technical committee did not accept our registration; consequently, our boxers were unfortunately not permitted to participate in the Games. Like Mozambique, several other countries were denied entry for the same reasons.
“The Mozambique Olympic Committee regrets the situation and reiterates its commitment to continue supporting athletes in their quest to qualify for the LA2028 Olympic Games.”
Gabon Boxing Federation Technical Director, Dieudonne Mefaghe, has blasted WB for their rigidity denying his two boxers, Mandela Cup welterweight champion Arthur Lendoye and welterweight Marie Madeleine, a golden opportunity to take part in the Commonwealth Games.
“This is very very unfair, In Gabon, gender test is done abroad,” fumed Mefaghe.
“Before leaving Libreville, my boxers had done the test three weeks ago.”
Several other countries have also been denied participation in the Commonwealth Games for the same reasons, leaving WB with a stinking egg on their face.
