The National Sports Council (NSC) has announced November 24 as the date for the general election of the Tanzania Professional Boxing Regulatory Commission (TPBRC). This sets in motion a process to establish new leadership for the sport. Candidates seeking the positions of president and vice-president must be Tanzanian citizens aged between 18 and 75, with at least a bachelor's degree from a university recognised by the government.
In addition to the educational requirement, candidates for the top positions must have accumulated at least five years of leadership experience in a recognised association or institution. Former boxers interested in the positions must demonstrate that they have retired from active competition for at least three years. This requirement could rule out recently retired fighters from contesting. The Sh1 million application fee for each of the two senior positions adds another financial hurdle for prospective candidates.
The commission's leadership structure will also include six zonal representatives and one women's representative. The application fee for these positions is set at Sh200,000. Unlike candidates for president and vice-president, zonal representatives must have at least primary school education and three years of leadership experience in a recognised sports organisation or institution. They must also be Tanzanian citizens aged between 18 and 75.
The six electoral zones will cover the Northern Zone, representing Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Arusha and Manyara; the Southern Highlands Zone, covering Songwe, Mbeya, Njombe, Iringa and Ruvuma; and the Western Zone, comprising Kigoma, Rukwa and Katavi. The remaining zones are the Lake Zone, representing Mwanza, Mara, Geita, Kagera and Simiyu; the Central Zone, covering Dodoma, Singida, Shinyanga and Tabora; and the Eastern Zone, representing Dar es Salaam, Pwani and Lindi.
The women's representative position is reserved for Tanzanian women within the same age bracket, with at least primary school education and three years of leadership experience. Former boxers seeking this position must also have retired for at least three years. The notice also bars candidates who have previously been convicted of criminal offences, including cases involving the use of prohibited drugs and illegal methods in sport.
According to the election notice, application forms would be available from November 2, with November 17 set as the deadline for their return. Candidates will be required to collect the forms from the council's offices at the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports headquarters in Dar es Salaam. Applicants will pay the prescribed fees through government control numbers issued after collecting the forms.
The vetting of candidates is scheduled for November 20 in Dar es Salaam, four days before the election. The election comes as TPBRC operates under interim leadership headed by president Patrick Nyembera and his deputy Jacob Mbuya. The NSC has set in place a rigorous process to ensure that the new leadership of the TPBRC is qualified and credible.
Key points
- Candidates for president and vice-president must have a bachelor's degree and five years of leadership experience.
- The application fee for the top positions is Sh1 million.
- The election is scheduled for November 24.
