“>Zambia Daily Mail by Online Editor on 6/24/13
Coach Kataya banned for life
By HONE SIAME
THE Zambia Amateur Boxing Federation (ZABF) has banned for life former national team coach Elias Kataya and Chiwempala Boxing Club executive committee member Duncan Ntemena for allegedly perpetrating anarchy.
But Kataya said he does not recognise the ban.
The Copperbelt Amateur Boxing Association (CABA) recently slapped indefinite suspensions on Kataya, former boxer John ‘Hammer’ Chibuta and Ntemena for alleged gross misconduct.
Early this year, Kataya and his colleagues called for the resignation of Chileshe accusing him of making decisions without consulting other executive members.
ZABF president Thomas Chileshe said in Kitwe yesterday that Kataya and Ntemena will not be allowed to take part in any boxing activities.
Chileshe said Chibuta has appealed to ZABF and the disciplinary committee will decide his fate.
“We have banned Kataya and Ntemena from all boxing activities for inciting our affiliates to rise against an elected ZABF executive committee. We don’t want anarchy in our sport that is why we have decided to take this decision,” Chileshe said.
Chileshe said it was unacceptable for the trio to attack his executive in the press instead of using the available channels to air their concerns.
“It is a serious offence to attack the motherbody in the press and incite affiliates to pass a vote of no confidence in the sitting executive committee. They even sidelined CABA chairman Frank Munthali and secretary Justin Sinyinza by masquerading to be CABA officials at the meeting they organised to discredit the national boxing leadership,” Chileshe said.
Chileshe said his executive will not entertain anarchy in the amateur boxing fraternity.
And Kataya has rejected the ban.
“We will not recognise this ban because we have already requested the National Sports Council of Zambia to intervene in resolving our wrangles in amateur boxing,” Kataya said.
He urged Chileshe to be open to criticism if he is to steer the sport to higher heights.
“What Mr Chileshe should know is that it is not me he is punishing but doing a disservice to the sport. I will remain with my experience in boxing administration since he is not interested in my services,” said Kataya, who backed Chileshe’s candidature during elections last year.
Kataya beat Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions operations manager Christopher Malunga for the position.