PRESIDENT SAMIA SULUHU-BACKED PRO BOXING SHOW IS THE TALK OF TANZANIA TODAY
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu is certainly in the driver’s seat in sports development in her country.
She’s not only supporting football and athletics but boxing too especially the bare-chested game in her commitment to empower the youth through sports.
Today is her day as Mafia Promotions stage a big international pro boxing show christened Knock Out Ya Mama featuring five major title fights at the Super Dome in Masaki, Dar es Salaam.
Among the five major titles fights include the main one between Tanzania’s Yohana Mchanja vs Miel Farjado of Philippines in a 12-round WBO Global flyweight belt, Tanzania’s Ibrahim Mafia defending his WBC Africa bantamweight title against South Africa’s Lusizo Manzana and Samin Kasim battling Filipino Adrian Lerasan for the WBF Inter-Continental super-bantamweight title.
Mafia Promotions manager Anatoli Wanah has every reason to shout from the rooftop in praise of Tanzania’s and East Africa’s first female president.
“Mama Suluhu is changing the face of sports in Tanzania, we’re really grateful for her involvement in pro boxing,” Wanah told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview from Dar es Salaam.
“She’s supporting us because she likes projects associated with youth empowerment and to motivate our boxers.
“When we came out with this project Mama Suluhu and her team found it worthy to support because we’re helping our youth to empower themselves financially, we have 100 percent support from her.”
Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa is expected to be the guest of honour in the 14-bout Knock Out Ya Mama boxing extravaganza.
Manager Wanah went on: “It has never happened before in East Africa to have such a huge number of foreign boxers in one card, we at Mafia are leading the way, the hottest fights ever held in our region be there. Kosa uchekwe.”
Boxing Federation of Tanzania President Lukelo Willilo is also proud of the government’s support of amateur boxing.
“It’s so inspiring to our youth in boxing to see our President Samia Suluhu supporting them,” said Willilo who has said plans are underway for Tanzania to hire a Cuban coach as the Technical Director.
“We are all proud of our president on what she’s doing for boxing in our country. As others sleep we’re on the move. Tanzania will gradually rule Africa boxing,” said Willilo with tongue in cheek.
