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09/08/2012
NI Boxing Investment After Olympic Success
Boxing in Northern Ireland is to get a cash injection of more than £3m.
The announcement comes as two Northern Irish boxers playing for the republic of Ireland team have won medals in the London Olympics.
Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes have contributed to Northern Ireland's record five Olympics medals so far.
Sports minister Caral Ni Chuiillin confirmed the investment on a visit to St John Bosco boxing club in west Belfast, and said it would be spent on improving coaching and expanding facilities so women could box in more venues.
She said: "In communities across the north, boxing is much more than a sport. It is a lifesaver."
The money will be available by the end of the year. Ms Ni Chuillin said it was part of a strategy being developed.
But Jim Allister of Traditional Unionist Voice warned that sectarianism needed to be tackled in the sport.
He said: "The reality in Northern Ireland is that people from within the Unionist community are discouraged from participating in boxing because of sectarianism and the fact that competitive events are almost always held in Republican areas.
"Events held in venues like All Saints Boxing Club in Twinbrook, Grosvenor Activity Centre in the Lower Falls area and Saint Kevin’s Hall in the New Lodge have all resulted in sectarian abuse being directed at young Protestant boxers from Sandy Row with no adequate redress coming from boxing authorities.
"Now that boxing in Northern Ireland is to receive this funding it is imperative that fundamental changes take place so that people from all religious and political backgrounds can feel welcome."
(NE)
The announcement comes as two Northern Irish boxers playing for the republic of Ireland team have won medals in the London Olympics.
Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes have contributed to Northern Ireland's record five Olympics medals so far.
Sports minister Caral Ni Chuiillin confirmed the investment on a visit to St John Bosco boxing club in west Belfast, and said it would be spent on improving coaching and expanding facilities so women could box in more venues.
She said: "In communities across the north, boxing is much more than a sport. It is a lifesaver."
The money will be available by the end of the year. Ms Ni Chuillin said it was part of a strategy being developed.
But Jim Allister of Traditional Unionist Voice warned that sectarianism needed to be tackled in the sport.
He said: "The reality in Northern Ireland is that people from within the Unionist community are discouraged from participating in boxing because of sectarianism and the fact that competitive events are almost always held in Republican areas.
"Events held in venues like All Saints Boxing Club in Twinbrook, Grosvenor Activity Centre in the Lower Falls area and Saint Kevin’s Hall in the New Lodge have all resulted in sectarian abuse being directed at young Protestant boxers from Sandy Row with no adequate redress coming from boxing authorities.
"Now that boxing in Northern Ireland is to receive this funding it is imperative that fundamental changes take place so that people from all religious and political backgrounds can feel welcome."
(NE)
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17 October 2012
Claims Cash Was Denied To Protestant Boxers
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Carl Frampton Announced As New Boxing Analyst
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with clear skies this evening. Patchy cloud will increase at times overnight, but some clear spells too. Light winds and some patchy shallow mist or fog towards dawn. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
