BOXING clubs in Mdantsane plan on building on the township's boxing heritage, using kits given to them through the City's public participation department's social responsibility programme.

The kits were sponsored by the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, and were handed over on Wednesday, 5 August. Mdantsane is a major player in the country when it comes to boxing, which contributes to the upliftment of young people and putting Buffalo City on the map.

"We are aware of all the boxing world champions that Mdantsane has produced, including Happyboy Mgxaji, Welcome Ncita, Vuyani Bungu and Ali Funeka," said the special programmes portfolio head, Sakhumzi Caga.

The sports kits were handed over at the Mdantsane Zone 10 Community Hall to the Rising Star Boxing Club and the Highlight Boxing Club.

"This boxing equipment should go to Mdantsane clubs so they can continue to produce South African boxing champions," Caga added.

Giving out sports kits is part of the City's efforts to support youth sport and gear them up for 2010, when the World Cup football tournament will be played in South Africa.

Boxing promoter Sizwe Sinyabi explained that not only would the boxing programme produce champions, it would also keep children off the streets of Mdantsane. "What Buffalo City municipality has done for us gives us hope as boxers in this area. It shows that we're going far with this boxing of ours."

In all, six punch bags, six pairs of boxing gloves and first aid kits were handed over. "Each club receives three punch bags, three pairs of boxing gloves and one first aid kit," Caga said.