Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions and Mahogany Air have partnered to do a feasibility study of Mansa to weigh if the town has the potential to host an international boxing tournament slated for the first quarter of 2019 in an attempt to familiarise Luapula residents with boxing stars in the country, as well as stimulating their interest in the sport.

Speaking during a press conference in Lusaka yesterday, Mahogany Air Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jim Belemu said the OQBP crew will fly in Mahogany to and from Mansa in order to grace Mansa residents a grand landing via a local airline.

“We want this partnership to be on a long term basis because Oriental Quarries has a number of events lined up next year. It would also be a way of honouring the former World Boxing Council Bantamweight (WBC) champion Catherine Phiri just like she has flown the Zambian flag high,” said Belemu.

And OQBP promotions manager Christopher Malunga assured Mahogany Air of accountability of all the resources that the airline had given the boxing stable. He added that the gesture expressed by the airline was a great way of not only honouring the boxers but motivating them too.

“We will make sure that we are accountable for all the resources that the airline has blessed us with and we will also make sure that we create a long term working relationship with them. Mansa people will have an opportunity to see Catherine Phiri and other boxers,” said Malunga.

Meanwhile, Catherine Phiri noted that the opportunity will give Mansa residents a platform to have a more direct contact with their role models.

“It will be my first time in Mansa and I’m glad because I know there are girl children that need to hear from me about juggling sports and education,” said Phiri.