THE inaugural Samia Women’s Boxing Championships will kick off tomorrow at Kawe Beach Club in Dar es Salaam, the Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT) has announced.

According to BFT secretary general Makore Mashaka, the competition will serve as a selection event for female boxers who will represent Tanzania at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, scheduled for March 8-17, 2025, in Niš, Serbia.

Mashaka stated that invitations have been extended to all national security and safety institutions, regional teams, clubs, and the Tanzania Professional Boxing Regulatory Commission (TPBRC).

However, he did not confirm how many Tanzanian boxers will participate in the Serbia World Championships, saying it will depend on the availability of resources.

“This will be the first-ever women’s boxing championship organized by BFT. The event will run from Friday to Sunday at Kawe Beach Club,” he said.
 “We have named it the ‘Samia Women’s Boxing Championships’ to honour and appreciate the contribution of our President, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, to the sports sector in Tanzania.”

Mashaka revealed that the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships will feature 500 female boxers from over 100 countries, competing in 12 weight categories.

In addition to the fights, all participating boxers will also attend a business and investment seminar, organized by BFT in collaboration with the Mbezi-based ARHN organization.

This will be Tanzania’s second participation in the prestigious tournament, following its debut at the 2023 edition in New Delhi, India.

The International Boxing Association (IBA) has announced that registration for the World Women’s Championships is open until February 20, 2025.

The organization has emphasized that the tournament is a cornerstone event for women’s boxing, celebrating the talent and determination of female athletes worldwide.

IBA President Umar Kremlev expressed his excitement for the return of the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, stating:

“This competition is a chance to unite, inspire, and celebrate the power of women’s boxing on a global scale. We call on all national federations to participate and continue making this event a tremendous success.”