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World of against Apartheid

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Alternative title Notes and Documents - United Nations Centre Against ApartheidNo. 9/88 Author/Creator United Nations Centre against Apartheid Publisher United Nations, New York Date 1988-07-00 Resource type Reports Language English Subject Coverage (spatial) South Africa Coverage (temporal) 1988 Source Northwestern University Libraries Description This issue contains statements made at a meeting of the Special Committee on 30 June at United Nations Headquarters to present a citation to Mr. Jose Sulaiman, President of the and to pay tribute to boxers and boxing administrators for their valuable contribution to the international campaign against apartheid in sports. Several champions and other boxing personalities attended the meeting, including Messrs. , , Joe Prazier, Don King, , Don Lalonde, Azumah Nelson, Roberto Duran and representatives of boxing federations from around the world. Format extent 9 page(s) (length/size)

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http://www.aluka.org NOTES AND DOCUMENTS*

NOTES AND DOCUMENTS* July 1988 Y9S WORLD OF BOXING AGAINST APARTHEID Special Committee against Apartheid presents Sulaiman, President of the World Boxing Council. citation to Mr. Jose INote: This issue contains statements made at a meeting of the Special Committee on 30 June at United Nations Headquarters to present a citation to Mr. Jose Sulaiman, President of the World Boxing Council and to pay tribute to boxers and boxing administrators for their valuable contribution to the international campaign against apartheid in sports. Several champions and other boxing personalities attended the meeting, including Messrs. Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, , Don King, Gerry Cooney, Don Lalonde, Azumah Nelson, Roberto Duran and representatives of boxing federations from around the world.) 88-19205 *All material in these Notes and Documents may be freely reprinted. Acknowledgement, together with a copy of the publication containing the reprint, would be appreciated. United Niations, New York 10017 UNITED NATIONS (3)CENTRE AGAINST APARTHEID 9/88

CONTENTS Page I. OPENING STATEMENT BY H.E. MAJOR-GENERAL J.N. GARBA, CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE AGAINST APARTHEID ...... 2 II. STATEMENT BY H.E. MRS. OLGA PELLIZER, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF TO THE UNITED NATIONS ...... 3 III. STATEMENT BY MR. SAM RAMSAMY, CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NON-RACIAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE ...... 4 IV. STATEMENT BY SUGAR RAY LEONARD (ON BEHALF OF THE BOXERS PRESENT) ...... 6 V. PRESENTATION OF CITATION BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ...... 6 VI. STATEMENT BY MR. JOSE SULAIMAN, PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD BOXING COUNCIL ...... 6

-2 - I. OPENING STATEMENT BY H.E. MAJOR-GENERAL J.N. GARBA, CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE AGAINST APARTHEID The efforts of the international community to assist the people of South Africa to eradicate the evil system of apartheid have made inroads in recent years. However, the efforts against the r~gime need to be intensified. Apartheid still dominates life in South Africa. Blacks are still deprived of their basic human rights in South Africa. Black South Africans are even considered, under the system of apartheid, aliens in their own country of birth. The people of South Africa who have suffered great hardships are determined to continue with their struggle until apartheid and all its manifestations are eradicated and a genuine democratic system is established in their country. Many States and organizations have responded positively to the appeals of the General Assembly and the Special Committee. However, much more work is needed to isolate the apartheid r4gime and to take the message of the world to the white minority in South Africa that peaceful existence for all South Africans can only come about when apartheid is eliminated and all South Africans are involved on equal basis in the political process in their country. One of the areas in which pressure can be brought to bear on the apartheid r4gime is in the field of sports. It is common knowledge that sports is a field where people compete on the basis of merit and no constraints could be imposed on the basis of colour, race or political affiliation. The Olympic ideals are based on the principles that there must be total equality for all in sports. Sports is also a vehicle to strengthen friendship and co-operation between peoples of different nations and to serve peace and humanity. Apartheid is a negation of all these principles and is rightly condemned by the General Assembly as a crime against humanity. The Special Committee is singularly proud that, in the field of sports, it has been able, with the assistance of people like Mr. Jose Sulaiman, whom we are honouring today, to put South Africa where it rightly belongs. We owe our deep appreciation and thanks to the World Boxing Council (WBC) and to Mr. Sulaiman for the efforts which led to the exclusion of South Africa from the Council. Mr. Sulaiman has been instrumental in persuading other international organizations to do likewise. The contribution of Mr. Sulaiman and many of his colleagues in the world of boxing, as well as many sports administrators and athletes all around the world, will be remembered by the people of South Africa. It was under his direct authority, when he was elected President of WBC in Tunis in 1975, that the battle commenced against apartheid in . He showed great courage and determination in the face of extreme odds in a sport where millions of dollars often hold sway over morality. Mr. Sulaiman has been a worthy President who has steadfastly stood against apartheid in all its forms. In honouring Mr. Sulaiman today, we honour every athlete, sportsmen and women as well as sports administrators who have shunned their personal -3- interests, financial and material well-being and selflessly stood against apartheid by refusing to participate in apartheid sports. We applaud their recognition that apartheid sports is an integral part of a predatory system a system that is ideologically, morally and legally indefensible. We are thankful to athletes, administrators and leaders in sports organizations, among them Mr. Jose Sulaiman, Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch, Abraham Ordia, John McEnroe, Vijay Armitraj, Lyold Honeyghan, Muhammad Ali, John Conteh, and Rudd Gullit, to name a few, who have by their individual acts exerted tremendous efforts to isolate apartheid sports. I must also pay special tribute to the South African Non-Racial Olympic Committee (SANROC) and its dynamic Chairman, Mr. Sammy Ramsamy, who is with us today, for their untiring efforts. We are most appreciative of the determination of many champions and promoters who are present at this meeting and who have rejected the attempts of the apartheid r4gime and its collaborators to lure them to play in South Africa in spite of the huge amounts of money offered for that purpose. Your individual and collective actions are reflective of your freedom to choose - a liberty which is denied to the majority of South Africans. As we honour Mr. Sulaiman for his anti-apartheid efforts, let me restate the views of the Special Committee on this issue. I wish to reiterate that in calling for the isolation of apartheid sports, we are not attempting to inject politics into sports but we are demanding that sports be free from racism and apartheid which is the cruelest system of racial oppression; that in issuing the Register of Sports Contacts with South Africa - a document which is fast becoming an influential instrument in deterring athletes from competing in South Africa - we do not in any way intend for it to become a blacklist. Those who are on it are there on their own volition. They reserve the right to have their names struck off the register; they must, however, reject apartheid sports. The entering into force of the International Convention against Apartheid in Sports, on 3 April 1988, was for us a comforting sign that Member States of the United Nations are appreciative and supportive of our work. I, therefore, appeal to all States which have not yet done so, to expedite their processes of accession or ratification. We want to see that all States are committed to the Convention and its principles so that apartheid sports is totally isolated. Finally, I wish to once again expresss our immense gratitude to Mr. Sulaiman, the World Boxing Council and all of you gathered here for the solidarity which you have shown by joining us today as we pay tribute to a great man who has shown immense courage by saying NO to apartheid sports. II. STATEMENT BY H.E. MRS. OLGA PELLIZER, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MEXICO TO THE UNITED NATIONS I wish first of all to express to you, Mr. Chairman, and to the other members of the Special Committee against Apartheid, our thanks and appreciation for inviting our delegation to participate in this meeting and for the recognition and honour you have extended to Mr. Jose Sulaiman, the

- 4 - President of the World Boxing Council. We are proud of the contribution of Mr. Sulaiman to the struggle against apartheid. Mr. Sulaiman has been in the forefront for the isolation of apartheid sports. Due to the efforts of WBC under the leadership of Mr. Sulaiman, South Africa is no longer able to have similar access to the world of boxing as it used to have more than ten years ago. Mr. Chairman, the Government of Mexico has consistently supported the work of your Committee and participated in the United Nations efforts to ensure the eradication of apartheid by taking measures to isolate the racist r4gime of South Africa. We have always voted in favour of General Assembly resolutions against apartheid and in solidarity with the peoples of South Africa and Namibia. Mexico does not maintain any relations with the South African r6gime and we will continue to do so until apartheid is eliminated and all the people of South Africa can fully enjoy their freedom and determine their future, irrespective of their race or colour. In implementation of our policy of support to the efforts of the United Nations to isolate apartheid sports, my Government has already ratified the International Convention against Apartheid in Sports. We are very happy to note that the Convention entered into force on 3 April 1988. We are looking forward to the establishment of the Commission against Apartheid in Sports. We hope the Commission will add to the momentum prevailing in the international community in favour of measures to isolate apartheid and to assist the peoples of South Africa and Namibia in their struggle for freedom. Before concluding my statement, I wish to reiterate Mexico's solidarity with the struggle of the peoples of South Africa and Namibia and support to the efforts of the Special Committee against Apartheid. Mr. Sulaiman, we are very happy to see you leading the World Boxing Council in its professional endeavours to promote sports and to fight apartheid. III. STATEMENT BY MR. SAM RAMSAMY, CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NON-RACIAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE South Africa has long used professional boxing to undermine the sports boycott and also to give responsibility to apartheid. Unlimited financial resources, available to South African boxing promoters through massive Government subsidies for sponsorship, make some boxers easy prey for apartheid. That is why action at the very top level of international boxing administration is essential to thwart attempts by apartheid South Africa to pollute world boxing. The World Boxing Council, since 1975, when Mr. Jose Sulaiman was elected its president, has imposed a total ban on South Africans boxing under its auspices. Since then, WBC has made it impossible for any of its champions to fight a South African. Unfortunately, South Africa has not yet been totally isolated from professional boxing. The other international boxing organizations have not yet taken identical action as WBC. This has allowed South Africa to exploit professional boxing for apartheid propaganda.

-5- South Africa has offered mediocre international boxers huge amounts of money to Eight there. The fees that these mediocre boxers receive are Ear in excess of what they would receive in any other part of the world. This, in itself, indicates how desperate South Africa is for international recognition. South Africa also uses the so-called international events to seek recognition for its bantustan policy whereby blacks are separated according to their tribal origins. Many, if not all, oE the Eights are held in South Africa's nominally independent bantustan oE Bophuthswana. Sports events held in Bophuthswana are televised and sold to television companies at virtually donation rates, only because South Africa wishes to mislead the world into believing that Bophuthswana is an independent country. It overseas boxers, who come mostly from South America and the , are prevented from fighting in South Africa, it will create a void in South Africa's propaganda machine. OE course, South AErica uses its professional boxing to create the myth that sports is totally integrated there. Many, if not all, of the world's best boxers do not go to fight in South Africa. Several of them are present with us here today. Ali turned down every effort to lure him to South Africa at the height of his career. Larry Holmes refused a ,tax- free hand-out of $15 million. The international campaign against apartheid sports has managed to dissuade boxers from going to South Africa. But our task will be made easier if the boxing authorities themselves impose penalties on boxers who fight in South Africa and on promoters who invite South Africans to fight overseas. If all the world's boxing authorities hereafter refuse to rank South African boxers, it could greatly diminish the monetary influence of South Africa. May be officials could also consider removing boxers from the ratings if they fight South Africans. )WBC has done all this and much more. WBC has not lost any credibility as a result of this. In fact it has gained tremendous respectability internationally. Because of its uncompromising stand against apartheid, most of the so-called third world countries have had no difficulty in being associated with WBC. The honour that the United Nations is bestowing on Jose Sulaiman, its President, is ample testimony to this. Similar collective action now will see South African boxing isolated overnight. This will hit apartheid propaganda most effectively and further demoralize the white South African electorate. World boxing can then jointly claim that it is part of the international anti- apartheid campaign. And, when apartheid is finally destroyed, world boxing can claim that it played a part in its downfall. we appeal to the other boxing authorities to join with WBC and its President, Jose Sulaiman, to efEect the total isolation of South African boxing. -6- IV. STATEMENT BY SUGAR RAY LEONARD (ON BEHALF OF THE BOXERS PRESENT) I would like to join you, Mr. Chairman, and other speakers in paying tribute to Mr. Jose Sulaiman eor his moral courage and his uncompromising stand against apartheid. We are, indeed, honoured to be present at this function today. On behalf of the boxers present here today, may I reiterate that no way will any of us eight in South Africa or in their bantustans until apartheid is ended. I would like to call on all boxers not to sacrifice their dignity and accept blood money by accepting to fight in South Africa. Apartheid is a vicious system and we can help in our own little way to destroy it. V. PRESENTATION OF CITATION BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE I have the honour and pleasure of presenting on behalf of the Special Committee a citation to the President of the World Boxing Council, Mr. Jose Sulaiman, in recognition of his contribution to the struggle against apartheid sports and for the elimination of apartheid in a free, democratic and non-racial South Africa. (Presentation of citation) I invite Mr. Sulaiman to make a statement on this occasion. VI. STATEMENT BY MR. JOSE SULAIMAN, PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD BOXING COUNCIL I accept it, too, for those boxers, promoters and managers, who have refused to sacrifice their sacred principles of equality for a few pieces of silver; for those boxing writers who have refused to use their articles to support those espousing the despicable practice of apartheid and for all those boxing commissioners, my colleagues, from 118 countries affiliated to the World Boxing Council, for their unwaivering efforts against apartheid. It happened that I visited South Africa at the beginning of the decade of the seventies to review the sport there. Almost at once I felt the rebellion in my heart and the blood flowing through my veins when I witnessed first-hand in that country the total disrespect for the most elemental principles of human equality. It happens also that I come from Mexico, a country which has prided itself on its historical battles to maintain its traditional principles of equality in humanity which is unrivalled. So, it was in North Africa in 1975, when I was elected President of the World Boxing Council, that we really had the opportunity to begin our unswerving campaign against apartheid sports by immediately expelling South

- 7 - Africa and its boxers from our organization. We have continued day after day and year after year, over these last 13 years, by subscribing unequivocally to the principle that one cannot have equal sports in an unequal society. South Africa in 1975, without a doubt, was at the very top in world professional boxing. South Africa in 1988, without a doubt, is at the very bottom and almost completely isolated from our world of boxing. Achieving such an overwhelming victory has not been easy. There have been many detractors who have described our efforts as playing politics. We have privately and publicly embarassed all those in boxing who have chosen to flirt with apartheid. How can one describe as politics the nauseous behaviour of stepping on human dignity through racial segragation in sports? Others have attacked us by using the vested interests of money as the excuse for their disregard of principles. Honor, pride and the respect for fundamental right to equality of our heroes in boxing have helped us in our loyalty to those principles as the most sacred attribute of mankind. One of the obstacles, the most difficult of them all, has been the lack of understanding of the meaning of apartheid. Another is the opposition against realizing that we cannot have peace through the selfish stand made by people careless of the needs of others. We have explained and convinced again and again, we have eought and striven, and acted firmly against apartheid. We have never compromised our leadership in this regard. We have never remained silent against even the smallest action of support for apartheid. We have blasted slander with reality, with our proud banner flying high. Boxing is, in fact, a sports of equal opportunities - perhaps the only sport which prides itself on absolute equality. Promoters, managers and boxers at present, in the rest of the world outside South Africa, have no barriers to overcome other than their own merits. It is in boxing where we see that many of the leading boxers, managers and promoters are black, and as such, they occupy a special place in the history of boxing where their deeds are written in golden letters. It is in boxing where we have found the proper environment of unity, support and a sense of pride that have assisted us in our success in breaking down the barriers of apartheid. The sports boycott has been one of the most effective weapons in our campaign against apartheid. We firmly believe that our struggle against apartheid in boxing is almost over. We proclaim victory over South Africa. But we have a new quest - to change the mental attitude of our contemporary world and create a new generation, conscious of the need to strive and destroy every trace of discrimination from the face of the earth in a new era of peace, good-will and love for mankind. We have the motivation and determination for this new quest, based on our victory and the fact that we can free the world of the ugly, shameful and despicable practice of apartheid, and can find unity and strength to achieve this high ideal of equality in every sphere of modern society.

-8- The Presidents of the eight continental boxing federations in WBC, who are present here today, join me in extending to the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid our deepest gratitude for its citation which will live in our hearts for the rest of our lives, especially this year when we are celebrating the 25th anniversary oe the World Boxing Council. To my heroes, the boxers here today, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Gerry Cooney, Azumah Nelson, Don Lalonde, Saoul Mamby, to name a few, and also to those who are not here, I extend my deepest appreciation for displaying the same courage and determination in the struggle against apartheid as they do in the ring where they achieved their sports glories. And to the boxing community of the world at large, I extend my applause for their solidarity in our successful battle for equality and to those who consider colour is only on the trunks of the boxers. For a man like me, the son of a Lebanese and a Mexican, born in a small city of Tamaulipas, who never dreamed of ever being the leader of an international organization, much less being here, at the Headquarters of the nations of the world, the zenith of human equality, I will remember this occasion and your citation as the greatest honour and one of the happiest moments of my life, that urges me to greater commitment in my devotion to the principle that has given meaning to my life.