Limpopo-based boxing promoter Phathutshedzo Dongola was elected as the deputy secretary of Boxing South Africa last week.
Dongola made international headlines when he promoted two world-title fights in Polokwane involving Tsiko Mulovhedzi. Dongola was born and bred at Tshavhalovhedzi, Nzhelele, in the Vhembe District.
"I am still going to bring world-title fights to Limpopo. Therefore, I am making a call to all boxing trainers and boxers in the Vhembe District to work very hard to get good ratings from world boxing bodies, so that I can give them a chance to fight for world titles," he said.
When asked how he felt after being elevated to such a position in Boxing SA, he said it illustrated that, despite where one was born, opportunities existed for someone to become a leader in this country. "It is now time to work hard and help to bring boxing back to its former glory days," he said.
On the question of the standard of boxing in the country, Dongola said people should not only be concerned about boxing alone, but must look at the decline of sports in general. "There are only three things that should be done to improve the standard of sports in this country: they must bring back school sports, small business entrepreneurs must play a role in acquiring sporting facilities and communities themselves must participate in sporting activities," he said.
Dongola added that Boxing SA was prepared to turn a corner and work closely with boxing promoters, for the love of the game.