ICASA regulations will cripple Boxing SA further: Lejaka

Boxing South Africa (BSA) Chief Executive Tsholofelo Lejaka says the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (ICASA) proposed regulations would further cripple the professionalism of the sport that is already dying a slow, painful death.

Lejaka made his presentation on Day Two of the week-long hearings on Draft Sports Broadcasting Services Amendment Regulations in Centurion on Tuesday.

“The boxing sector cannot afford an eventuality where the current active broadcasters of boxing content are demobilised to disregard boxing and cover or opt for other codes which are excluded from Group A and Group B of the regulations..”@BOXXINGSA pic.twitter.com/qRmbB8ERPE

— ICASA (@ICASA_org) May 28, 2019

ICASA intends to amend the sport broadcasting regulations of national sporting events that are of national importance to receive full live coverage on free-to-air.

Events included in the proposed compulsory category for free to air are the Olympic Games‚ Paralympics‚ FIFA World Cup‚ Africa Cup of Nations (men and women)‚ Rugby World Cup‚ ICC Cricket World Cup‚ International Boxing Federations‚ National Netball‚ Commonwealth Games and IAAF.

“Broadcast rights make up more than 50 percent of our income” SARU presenting at the public hearings on the Draft Sports Broadcasting Services Amendment Regulations pic.twitter.com/moMoul5jaO

— ICASA (@ICASA_org) May 28, 2019

In a day where representatives from CAF, Commonwealth Games and Cricket SA were also expected to make their presentations, only South African Rugby Union and BSA availed themselves.

Lejaka further says though boxing remains one of the oldest and most loved sporting codes, its popularity has suffered a knockout blow due to lengthy blackouts on national television, something he partly blames the public broadcaster for.

Chaired by Palesa Kadi, ICASA’s regulations panel members highlights that while they are not objecting what the sporting codes are crying over and have no malicious intentions to cripple anyone,  their major concern remains the accessibility of sporting action to the poorest of the poor.

Premier Soccer League and SA Hockey representatives are expected to make their representations on Wednesday. – Report by Tumi Gabonamong

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