The NCD Boxing Association has grown from strength to strength over the past few years with about 17 boxing clubs established in the nation's capital, Port Moresby city. Despite having been around for some time, the association started hosting tournaments just a few years back in 2023. NCD Boxing Association Tournament Director Mr. Kauka Raka Jnr highlighted over the years boxing clubs have been only giving training sessions only, thus most fighters have lost interest, so it is important to run small tournaments locally, so it gives the fighters some sense of pride and dignity when they win and get a trophy. Plus, it gives them exposure to more times inside the ring. “There is a need for tournaments so that our fighters will have more experience in the ring, thus more experience can make them better prepared for bigger fights when opportunity arises.” Mr. Raka added that this year the NCD Boxing Association has started a biweekly tournament every Sundays at the Street Kids Boxing Gym at Koki and all Boxing clubs in NCD are urged to participate in this tournament. “Registration is K250, for all member clubs to register to the association plus a submission of all new boxers’ names especially the beginners are required.” “Biweekly is every government fortnight Sundays, so all clubs must come prepared for 30 bouts each Sunday tournament.” Mr. Raka highlighted that from the 30 bouts, 10 is for the beginners (Cadet division), 10 bouts for the Junior boxers and the other 10 bouts are for the experience or senior fighters. Raka also explained that within the Boxing Sports there are five (5) different stages by which each student will have to go through to earn their spot and are placed in their age categories; however, with exposure to ring experience, a junior boxer can take on someone older. The Cadets category is from the age 9-12 who are the beginners, then the Jnrs category, which is for kids aged 13-15, youth’s category 15-17, Knowbies category 17-19 and the Elites category from 19 and over or anyone who has 15- 20 years fight experience in the boxing ring. “Despite age difference a younger fighter with more ring experience can take on an older fighter because it is about the number or ring experience that give one fighter confidence, energy and a mindset to take on any fights.” “We want all our fighters to have this ring experience here so that they can be prepared to take on other fights nationally and internationally whenever tournament and opportunity arises.” However, the only set back NCD Boxing Association is facing at this time is sponsorship to train, develop and run tournaments. “Right now, all this is more or less volunteer work where we put our mind and heart to help the young ones find a purpose in life and we need financial assistance and we could definitely use some backings from corporate or stakeholders who are willing to support NCD Kickboxing Association,” Raka said.