The first Golden Gloves nursery tournament of the year, scheduled to take place at Emperors Palace on March 2, will coincide with the emergence of iME Cares South Africa, a support initiative developed to nurture youngsters and get them into the world of boxing.
iME recently came on board as a sponsor of Golden Gloves and wants its involvement to extend beyond a traditional commercial arrangement. The video tech business intends to help develop young boxers and officials, underpinned by education and training to ensure a lasting legacy that honours the sponsorship.
Said Alveena Pillay, executive: strategic partnerships: “iME Cares South Africa is dedicated to fostering the development of sport, with a primary focus on boxing. In collaboration with Jeff Ellis, the Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy and the SA National Amateur Boxing Organisation, we plan to establish training camps at grassroots level, introducing both girls and boys to the sport.”
The initiative will also partner with various boxing trainers to facilitate ‘train the trainer’ workshops, empowering sport teachers and trainers to lead these camps effectively.
“We firmly believe that sport has the power to open new doors for children, offering them a fresh perspective on their future aspirations. Through this initiative, we aim to inspire and equip the next generation to dream bigger and pursue their goals with confidence,” said Pillay.
“In addition to the grassroot school level initiatives, we will also be supporting training camps of amateur boxers as they hone their skills in the ring and build their profiles leading up to their first time in an official boxing match.”
The iME platform will be used to run training workshops, webinars, interviews and to share the journey of the boxers showcasing their talent to SA and the world.
“This is so refreshing,” said Ellis of Golden Gloves, who will help steer the initiative. He envisages including schools, clubs and townships in a programme designed to both lift the sport and its participants. Amateur boxers will be central to the programme, a vital boost to a sector that doesn’t always get the spotlight.
The March 2 show itself promises the very best of Golden Gloves’ younger stable with the like of Dylan Prosser, Charlton Malajika, Juan Alberts and Mhlanganisi Sogcwayi all fired up for the afternoon’s action.
With 40 rounds scheduled, it’s an ideal opportunity for fans to acquaint themselves with the new wave of fighters hoping to make their mark.
The March 2 tournament will be streamed exclusively live on the iME platform at a cost of R50:
https://app.i-me.tech/ime-hub/stream-live/dfc4e03545a011ef99fd5d94113fdeb6/941ca567-979a-43d0-923c-158bd0a8e374
