Times Of Swaziland: CHICKS HAS IT ALL – EBA, EX-PRESIDENT

CHICKS HAS IT ALL – EBA, EX-PRESIDENT
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Chris Dlamini on 17/07/2022 15:29:00


MBABANE – “He was honoured by the Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council.”
That is the homage and level deserved by Kid Mamba Boxing Club coach and
legendary former champion, Chicks Lukhele if the backing he has from Eswatini
Boxing President Webster Lukhele, former EBA President Charles Mahlalela and
other coaches is anything to go by. The boxing legend is leading the country’s
two boxers Thabiso Dlamini and Zweli Dlamini to the Commonwealth Games 2022
Birmingham in the United Kingdom (UK) as of July 28-August 8, this year. He has
come under fire for his selection to lead the boxers who are not from his club
but trained by another coach. The coach was openly criticised in Parliament
before Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga
and the Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council (ESRC) on Thursday afternoon.
Member of Parliament (MP) Vincent Sihlongonyane who is also in boxing under
Matsapha Boxing Club and declared his vested interests before the House of
Assembly, took a swipe on Lukhele saying he had no track record to represent the
country at this level, ahead of deserving others.
Responses
However, the minister is expected to give his written responses to the august
House tomorrow. EBA has come out to clear Lukhele in as far as a track record is
concerned.
“Chicks has it all and he is a legend who has Sports Council honour. We find
it easy to work with him just like he works with other coaches. The old man must
be left alone instead of this victimisation when he has done so much for the
country and is well qualified. Besides, this is an issue for the national
federation and not Parliament,” EBA President Webster Lukhele said. He shared
Chicks’ accreditation to be selected as a national coach for the Commonwealth
Games which shows he is qualified and decorated. He also represented the country
in the same games in Canada on his day as a boxing champion.
“Before COVID-19, Chicks was honoured by Sports Council with an award for his
contribution in boxing today. Bulunga was there to recognise him. Chicks Lukhele
is one of the elderly former boxing champions and a legend who represented
Eswatini in many outings including the Commonwealth Games in Canada. “He had
attended boxing coaching courses under all the SWABA (Swaziland Amateur Boxing
Association) then under President Enock Dlamini, under Life President Sibhaha
Dlamini, under High Court Judge and  then Justice Ben Dunn and under President
Charles Mahlalela,” commented former EBA then SWABA President Charles
Mahlalela. He said many boxing experts and coaching courses sponsored by the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) through AIBA and the local Olympic
Committee were attended by Chicks who has also coached many boxers with the
oldest boxing club in the country, Kid Mamba. “Chicks Lukhele, one of the
country’s boxing legends yet to be honoured,” he added. Another former
official said the attack was unjustified and was exactly what was delaying
progress in the sport.