Inaugural AFBC Normalisation Committee meeting sets vision for strategic reforms and collaboration
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Jun 2025
Dubai, UAE - The IBA has announced the Chairperson and the composition of the structure that will act as a temporary governing body for African Boxing Confederation until conclusion of the AFBC Elective Congress Meeting in 2026.
IBA Board of Directors member Ms Pearl Dlamini became the Chairperson, while IBA Vice-President Mr Abdulmutalim Abakarov holds Vice Chairperson position. IBA Secretary General and CEO Mr Chris Roberts OBE, IBA Board of Directors member Mr Dian Gomes, President of Mozambique Boxing Federation Mr Gabriel Xavier Da Barca Junior, President of Uganda Boxing Federation Mr Moses Muhangi and ex-Chairman of the AFBC Ethics Committee Mr David Pina formed the Normalisation Committee composition with a vacant position still to be filled.
The Committee held its inaugural meeting virtually on Sunday, 1 June 2025, marking a significant step towards enhancing governance and operational effectiveness among its member National Federations. Under the guidance of Chairperson Ms. Pearl Dlamini, the committee set forth a robust agenda emphasizing inclusive representation, refined regulatory frameworks, and comprehensive strategic planning.
During the meeting, the Committee addressed critical feedback from National Federation representatives, notably concerning the Maghreb region and French-speaking cohorts. To demonstrate its dedication to broad representation, the committee agreed to identify two additional members from these regions. A formal mail vote on these nominations will take place, with final approval anticipated from the IBA Board of Directors by mid-June.
Committee members were encouraged to thoroughly review the AFBC Normalisation Committee Regulations to understand their roles and responsibilities clearly. Feedback, recommended changes, and queries regarding these regulations must be submitted by 8 June 2025. These contributions will then be integrated into a consolidated proposal for mail voting and subsequent final review by the IBA Board of Directors.
Budgetary allocations were discussed, particularly with reference to aligning financial resources efficiently with measurable outputs and future needs. The Committee underscored the importance of transparency and fiscal responsibility, committing to regular updates throughout the ongoing budget review process.
A comprehensive strategic action plan was reviewed, addressing critical transitional tasks, such as the handover of responsibilities from the former AFBC President and respective office, in order to resolve critical administrative issues, including reported delays in AFBC staff salaries in Ethiopia. The committee is taking active steps to clarify leadership roles within AFBC. Decisions from the meeting also included the establishment of a dedicated channel for committee communications and consolidation of digital outreach through the IBA platform, with plans to phase out redundant AFBC WhatsApp groups and websites until a legitimate governance framework is finalized by the respective National Federations. The Chairperson will contact managers of the two available AFBC websites to discuss possible service usage, with interim support from the IBA office.
Additionally, the AFBC Normalisation Committee will be supported mainly by the IBA staff located in its Dubai office. The committee agreed to call for submissions from boxers and countries with prize money claims, ensuring these concerns are transparently addressed in the forthcoming committee statement. It will also manage the further proposed African Championships tournament, with an open call for hosting bids to be advertised out in due course. Furthermore, collaboration with the IBA International Relations department will clarify legitimate leadership within each AFBC National Federation, details of which will be included in subsequent official communications.
Chairperson Ms. Pearl Dlamini emphasized, ‘Sunday's meeting underscores our unwavering commitment to reform, transparency, and unified progress. By engaging diverse perspectives and strengthening internal processes, we are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more inclusive future for AFBC.’
The committee will next process additional member nominations via mail vote and finalize feedback on regulatory and strategic action plans by 8 June 2025. Further information about upcoming meetings and actions will be communicated in due course.
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