Call for more boxers?

Press, 22 July 1986, Page 46

Call for more boxers?

NZPA-Reuter Edinburgh Commonwealth Games organisers, faced with the withdrawal of half the boxing entries as a result of the growing boycott, may try to reduce the damage by asking the remaining teams to increase their squads. Frank Hendry, director of boxing at the games, said yesterday that the tournament would have to be rescheduled as only 82 of the 164 boxers entered for the games were now expected to take part. All 12 weight classes have been affected. The three boxers remaining in the light-flyweight dlvi-

sion, from an expected entry of nine, are each guaranteed a medal while the high-profile heavyweight class has lost seven out of its original 11 entries, Mr Hendry said. “We will have to reschedule the event and will

probably postpone the start of the boxing competition until the second week,” said Mr Hendry. But he added: “We may appeal to teams to in- - crease their input and enlarge the boxing event.” Twenty-four countries have now withdrawn from the games in protest at Britain’s refusal to agree

to sanctions against South Africa. The withdrawal of Kenya’s 12 boxers and eight each from Uganda and Nigeria was the most damaging to the tournament. Africans won gold medals in all six weights up to light-welterweight at the 1982 Brisbane games. Mr Hendry said countries within reasonable flying time of Edinburgh could send in extra boxers at short notice if necessary, though such a move would require the agreement of their respective national Commonwealth Games authorities.