BFT weighs in on Dar boxers' performance in IBA World Championships  

Tanzania was represented by Lightweight boxer, Beatrice Nyambega, and Light Flyweight boxer, Rehema Maganga.

Beatrice, on Friday, lost to Indian Jasmine Jaismine, whereas Rehema lost to Kenyan Beatrice Ongare. 

Speaking from India, Lukelo  Wililo, BFT president, attributed the outcome to a lack of experience and exposure at international events.

"This was the first time that our female boxers were battling it out in the Women's World Boxing Championships, the two were lacking that experience as it was their first time to compete in a high-profile international championship," the official noted.

The official pointed out: "In the first bout, Beatrice was not in her mood, she lost focus mainly because she was fighting an experienced Indian boxer Jasmine who was being cheered by the home fans."

"Rehema did all she could but was overpowered by Beatrice who has vast experience in international events," he said.

Beatrice, the 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, also outclassed Rehema in this year's East Africa Boxing Championships that took place in Dar es Salaam in January. 

However, Wililo drew some positives from the early elimination of the boxers in the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships. 

"The championships have helped the two boxers gain experience and exposure, this is, to BFT, a good beginning, we have learned a lot and we will make use of them while preparing for the next month's Zone 3 Boxing Championships, Olympic Games and 2026 Commonwealth Games in Virginia, Australia," he said.

The BFT president said the Tanzania delegation will remain in India until the end of the championships. 

He said while in India, the delegation will attend Congress for Women in Boxing, a technical meeting for coaches and team cutmen, international technical officials, and a boxing clinic.

Minister for Culture, Arts, and Sports Pindi Chana presented the national flag to the two boxers, urging the pugilists to hoist the flag high in the championships. 

She said the government is happy that, for the first time, the country is taking part in the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships.

"We are happy that for the first time, our country is taking part in the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships, we are committed to developing sports in the country and we will continue doing that," she said. 

The national team was backed by National Sports Council (NSC) and IBA while the pugilists' local camp was sponsored by Africa Human Rights Network (AHRN) and Mbezi's Oasis Village and Club Gym.

The IBA Women's World Boxing Championships started in Scranton, USA in 2001 and this year witnessed Tanzania field boxers in the showpiece for the first time. 

More than 350 female boxers from 74 countries are battling it out in the championships which involve 12 weight classes.

The opening ceremony took place at K.D. Jadhav Indoor Hall, with preliminaries and quarterfinals slated for March 16-23, semi-finals are set to take place on March 25.

For the first time, IBA confirmed a lucrative prize fund of US$2.4m for the Women's World Boxing Championships.

Gold medal winners in each of the 12 weight categories, IBA disclosed, will get US$ 100,000, ensuring a bumper reward for finishing top of the podium.

Boxers taking runners-up place in their categories will collect US$ 50,000, while third-placed pugilists are set to walk away with US$ 25,000 each.