I traveled recently with referee Eddie Marshall to Tanzania where two WBF title fights were staged. While we were fully aware of the devastation Covid 19 is still causing in Europe and parts of Africa, we were slightly anxious to travel into East Africa.
Prior to our departure from Cape Town airport, Eddie and I had to go for our Covid tests in order to be allowed onto a flight. We received our negative results and began our journey. Upon arrival in Tanzania we were told that there was no (or hardly any) Covid cases.
For four days the world seemed to be normal once again – no masks and no social distancing. I must commend the promoters ’The Jackson Group’ for their professionalism throughout.
After two excellent WBF fights, with Tanzanian star Hassan Mwakinyo successfully defending his intercontinental title, and former WBC womans world champion Fatuma Zarika claiming a WBF world super featherweight title, it was time to return.
However, again in order to board a flight we had to have a second Covid test, this time in Dar Es Salaam. The result were received and we boarded to return home to South Africa, only to be greeted by the strict protocols pertinent to Covid-19 in South Africa.
It was back to masks and social distancing.
Going forward every flight taken, be it domestic of international, requires Covid test at least 72 hours before flying, and of course the results need to be negative.
Speaking to my WBF team in Europe as they face a cold and bleak winter, Covid continues to destroy lives of people by the thousands. Several WBF title fights in Europe have been postponed out of necessity and will take place when and where circumstances allow.
I urge all our team and family members to stay safe and be compliant with the rules and regulations in your respective countries.
On the bright side, boxing in Africa has resumed in a most positive manner. We have fights in Cape Town and Botswana on November 27, Durban, Johannesburg and Nigeria in December, back to Tanzania in January, Zambia in February and Zimbabwe in March.
We also have a fight in Mexico November 29, and one in the USA in January.
2020 has been a terrible year but we will overcome. We need to stay strong, united and committed to defeating this virus, which we will do.
Stay safe and hope to see you soon.
Until next time, keep punching.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing Federation
