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.

The mainly Protestant club has claimed in the past it has been subjected to chronic sectarianism.

Ms Ni Chuilin has responded by asking Mr Allister to arrange a meeting with her department.

She claims she has invited the Sandy Row club to Stormont a number of times in the past, but that the club refused to attend.

The club claims its members have suffered sectarian abuse and harassment in nationalist areas, and members of the organisation have compiled a report detailing the incidents.

The debate came about when Mr Allister alleged the Sandy Row club was missing out on a £3m Department of Culture fund because it was not affiliated to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association.

North Antrim MLA Mr Allister had asked the Sports Minister how the Sandy Row club was to get funding.

But Minister Ni Chuilin replied that her department was currently working through the allegations. Speaking in the Assembly, she asked the TUV MLA to withdraw his remark.

The Minister also suggested a meeting involving the club and her department could take place, should Mr Allister decide to organise one.

(IT)