Eager boxer told to write in
Published on: Monday, January 14, 2019
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Amateur Boxing Association (Saba) is willing to consider a former State boxer’s return to the ring if he writes in officially.
“He should have written to the association’s secretary if he has any grievance…we will then see what we can do about it.
ADVERTISEMENT
“If he is still interested to represent the State, then he should forward his intentions to the proper channel,” Saba President Datuk Orlando Harumal told Daily Express.
Andrew Igang Augustine, 35, claimed the association had banned him from joining any competition in the State as well as denying him the opportunity to bring glory to Sabah.
Asked what led to the alleged ban on him by Saba, he said he took part in his first major tournament which was the Mayor’s Cup in 2003 and the following year was selected to be part of the reserve team for the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
He said his differences started after he grabbed the silver medal in a major competition in Johor, in 2010.
ADVERTISEMENT
I managed to finish all four rounds even though one of my hands was injured in the second round. Upon arriving at the airport, instead of being proud of my achievement, the top Sabah official taunted me over my injured hand.
In the heat of the moment, we nearly came to blows,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said that when he registered for another championship, he was told that he could not join the tournament as he was banned.
Since then, he opted to venture into muay thai and mixed martial arts (MMA), even though his heart was still flaming with the passion for boxing.
“I did contact this Saba top official a few years ago via Facebook to say sorry and ask for another chance but my apologies were not accepted.
“I am still training actively and am helping to coach my friends at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex. However, most gyms do not want to hire me full time due to the ban…I have the determination to fight but it is all wasted.
“I hope the matter can be resolved,” he said.
When contacted, Orlando denied such ban was imposed on Andrew by Saba.
“Sabah Boxing has nothing to do with him as he is not even a member of the association.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
