WE WERE CHEATED, CRY LOCAL BOXERS

MBABANE – The country’s boxers felt cheated during the recently-ended XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

The revelation was made by the Chef de Mission and Swaziland Boxing Association (SWABA) President Pearl Dlamini upon the team’s return yesterday. This forced the country to lodge a complaint to the African Boxing Federation (ABF). The duo of Zweli Dlamini and Thabiso Dlamini competed in the 56kg and 69kg, respectively, with Zweli crashing out in the quarter-finals, while Thabiso lost in the last 16 stage. “Cheating exists in such games and this did not only affect the country but the whole African continent. It is not only Swaziland that felt cheated but a majority of the African countries, including Botswana. As Swaziland we formally wrote a letter of complaint to the ABC over the officiating during the games,” he said.

Dlamini said even some coaches from other countries sympathised with the locals after losing their bouts, while they have dominated their opponents. He said they were left shocked with some of the decisions taken. Boxer Thabiso Dlamini said he was shocked when his opponent from Australia was announced the winner while he had dominated the bout. “I was left disappointed with the refereeing and when the majority watching the game declared you as a winner, but at the end everything goes against you. There is nothing we can do about that and it is time to move on and continue working hard,” he said. Zweli Dlamini said his first results against the boxer from Uganda were fair but against the Canadian he also felt cheated.

“The style of play from the Canadian was not fair as he never attacked but he ran all over the ring. He never gave me the chance to play against him and at the end he was declared victorious. I was at an advantage as I was shorter than him,” he said. The squad retuned back home safely yesterday from Australia. The country was represented by 10 athletes, including the boxers. The others ere athletes Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa, Thandaza Zwane, Mcebo Mkhaliphi, Phumlile Ndzinisa and Erika Seyama and cyclists Muzi Shabangu, Gcina Banda and Mduduzi Zwane.

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