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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
Sports Minister Caral Ni Chuilin has refuted claims that funding was denied to a Sandy Row boxing club. TUV MLA Jim Allister claims the boxing club, situated in a protestant area of Belfast, was refused funding by the Sinn Féin Sports Minister’s department because it was not part of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association.
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Carl Frampton Announced As New Boxing Analyst
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Carl Frampton Announced As New Boxing Analyst
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
