Dar Es Salaam — The Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) has condemned the decision by Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT) to suspend the national team's training camp amid boxers' boycott scandal.

TOC Secretary General Filbert Bayi said on Wednesday that it was wrong to suspend the team's training following an incident that was committed by a group of boxers and not all in the camp.

"I'm not happy with the decision to suspend the training because I believe not all boxers were involved in the revolt. Suspending the camp is only to victimize even those who were not involved and it will disturb the team's rhythm.

"It will also weaken the Tanzanian Commonwealth Games team's spirit because this is a crucial time when athletes lined up for the Games are required to be focused and primed to win top honours for the country," said Bayi.

He said BFT should have retained the camp, while at the same time conduct an investigation to find out who were behind the move and action taken against the culprits.

The boxers reportedly opted to boycott the regional Champions of Champions tournament due to lack of funds to cater for their accommodation, food and allowances.

Boxers from Kenya, Uganda, Mauritius, Rwanda and Botswana were left stunned as the supposed to be opponents and hosts opted for a no show. The incident left BFT officials paralysed and fuming.

The federation president, Joan Minja, said they smell something fishy and did not rule out sabotage.

BFT formed a six-man probe committee under retired Major Michael Changarawe, who is also the federation's vice-president to establish what they suspect had triggered the boxers to shun the event that took place at the DDC Mlimani in Dar es Salaam.

Meanwhile, as Tanzania's Commonwealth Games team is supposed head to camp yesterday, sports associations have not clarified on where they would prefer the team's camp to be set.

Bayi said that they had already instructed all five associations that will send athletes for the quadrennial games in New Delhi, India next month, to decide on place where they would accommodate the athletes for the final tune up.

TOC will fund the training that shall comprise an estimated 40 sportsmen and women for the Delhi Games.

"We are committed to provide the best for our athletes to enable them perform well," said Bayi.

Bayi confirmed that they have already done accreditation and what was remaining is the entry by names.