By SANDRA MWILA and SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –

THE Midlands Boxing Association (MABA) has reacted angrily to sentiments by Zambia Boxing Federation (ZBF) president Thomas Chileshe that its preferred candidate, Jack Mbewe, is incapable of running the boxing body.
Chileshe said Mbewe was not competent to run the ZBF despite the Zambia Army officer receiving support from more than 10 clubs on the Copperbelt as well as MABA.
MABA general secretary Christian Kalima in an interview yesterday labelled Chileshe as a “daydreamer” for thinking he would scoop the March 5 elections to be held in Kabwe.
“Chileshe is dead meat. He is daydreaming by saying that he is going to block our candidate Jack Mbewe from contesting the ZBF presidency. He is cheating himself,” Kalima said.
He claimed that Chileshe had attempted to dissolve Exodus and Oriental Quarries boxing stables for him to have easy elections.
Kalima said MABA would not allow Chileshe to block any candidate endorsed by MABA or any affiliate club.
“The man is very greedy and selfish. He tried to dissolve Exodus and Oriental boxing stables so that he can have easy elections but he failed. No one, no one, no one will block any candidate endorsed by MABA, and we won’t allow anyone to block any candidate endorsed by any affiliate club,” Kalima said.
Kalima said MABA would not condone any selfish motives from anyone, adding that they were ready to handle any situation.
Meanwhile, Copperbelt Amateur Boxing Association (CABA) secretary Malao Mweemba said 14 clubs in the region want Mbewe to be president.
Mweemba said the clubs on the Copperbelt and North-Western Province want a new man at the helm of ZBF.
He also named Bright Chomba, a former secretary, as their preferred choice for the same position.
He said they were still undecided over the vice-president, but would support Philimon Musonda as their treasurer with Edgar Silwiza as the vice-secretary.
“We have up to 14 clubs and these include Kalewa, Nchanga, YMCA, Kitwe Central, Chiwempala, CEC, Kasempa and Lubengele all wanting this line-up,” he said.
Duncan Ntemena, a former CABA official, said there should be a strong checklist on who would be allowed to vote.
Chomba has since accepted the nomination and called for elections to be conducted in a mature manner.