Two Tanzanian professional boxers, Joseph Maigwisya and Halima Vunjabrtei, are yet to receive payment following their recent bouts held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on June 14, 2025 a situation that has exposed ongoing concerns about language and legal literacy in international sports contracts.
According to confirmed details, Maigwisya is owed €8,000 (approximately TSh 24.16 million), while Vunjabei is awaiting €1,500 (around TSh 5 million) in unpaid fight fees.
Japhet Kaseba, Chairman of the Tanzania Professional Boxing Association (TPBA), acknowledged the issue, noting that the delays stem from the foreign organizers’ standard procedure of processing payments via bank transfer a method that typically takes between three to seven business days.
“After the bouts, I contacted the event organizers. They assured me that payment would be made through the bank, which is customary in their country,” Kaseba said.
However, complications arose when the boxers and their coach confronted the promoter in Denmark, demanding immediate payment and even threatening to boycott their return flight to Tanzania.
The situation was diffused following intervention from the TPBA chairman, who advised the athletes to avoid actions that could violate contract terms or result in legal or financial consequences.
Kaseba expressed concern that the boxers were unaware of the terms in their contracts documents drafted in English a language many Tanzanian athletes and coaches are not fluent in.
“When I asked them what the contract stated regarding payment timelines, they couldn’t provide a clear answer. The reality is that most of our boxers and trainers lack formal legal or language support, especially when dealing with English-language contracts abroad,” he added.
The incident has reignited debate around the need for legal education and translation support for Tanzanian athletes competing internationally.
Kaseba emphasized that, according to TPBA regulations, all boxers must process international fight arrangements through the national association, which in turn liaises with the Tanzania Sports Commission (BMT) to ensure regulatory compliance and fighter protection.
Efforts to reach Maigwisya and Omary Pelege the individual said to have facilitated the Denmark fights have so far been unsuccessful. Their current whereabouts remain unknown, though efforts to contact them are ongoing.
The TPBA has pledged to follow up on the matter and is expected to work closely with international partners to ensure the fighters receive their rightful earnings.
This incident serves as a wake-up call to sporting authorities in Tanzania to strengthen institutional safeguards, language access, and contractual oversight in professional sports, especially as more athletes step onto the global stage.