Welsh Boxing has been criticised for announcing that its annual Minors and Schools Championships will be held behind closed doors following "conflict in the Gypsy and Traveller community". Only boxers, coaches and officials will be allowed to attend the event, which has now been moved from Markham Leisure Centre to the National Boxing Centre at Sport Wales.
A parent has accused Welsh Boxing of discrimination and said it had wrongly singled out the community. She said feared it would foster animosity against them and was taking their children out of the event.
In a letter, Welsh Boxing CEO Colin Metson wrote: "Welsh Boxing has developed strong links with our Gypsy and Traveller Group and we have seen some tremendous community involvement along with some talented boxers coming through. However, we are aware of some conflict that may affect the Minors & Schools Championships.
Read more: Racial slurs and smashed windows: The vile abuse faced by a Gypsy family on the edge of Cardiff
"To minimise the risk to all participants, volunteers and locals, Welsh Boxing has made the decision to change the venue of the Minors & Schools Championships... We have also taken the decision, reluctantly, to run the event behind closed doors, so only boxers and coaches, along with officials will have access."
Instead, spectators will be allowed to watch the event, which begins on May 20 and lasts for three days, via a live stream free of charge. "The decision has not been taken lightly and we hope you appreciate the reasons behind it," wrote Mr Metson.
A mother, who did not want to be named, spoke to WalesOnline and said she had made the decision to pull her 14-year-old son from the competition "for the safety of myself and my children." She said she is mostly concerned about the repercussions from the letter and is worried her son might get "beat up" by non-Traveller children in the competition.
She said: "It’s hard enough not going to see your child, but it’s even harder to see your child being branded for something they haven’t done. Children will be targeted in this tournament - the parents will say [the decision to have it behind closed doors] is down to the Gypsies."
While she said she is unaware of the alleged conflict within the Gypsy and Traveller community, she said that even if there is a conflict in the community that would pose danger to participants in the tournament, she thinks Welsh Boxing should not have specified this and "branded" the community in the letter.
"If it was because of the Gypsies, they should have kept it to themselves. It’s bad enough for us on a normal week, but now there are going to be a lot of angry young men and parents," she said, adding: "W hy didn’t they put it’s just a feud going on in public?"
Welsh Boxing has been approached for comment. To sign up for the WalesOnline newsletter, click here.
