CHICKS HAS IT ALL – EBA, EX-PRESIDENT

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.

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