AIBA’s project is a continent-wide programme made up of 12 regional hubs conducting a series of initiatives, including the HeadsUp Truck, AIBA’s new GlovesUp gateway into boxing and 4,835 certified course places.

It is hoped the Year of Africa will help to deliver a 250 per cent increase in the number of certified coaches, referees and judges and technical staff across the continent.

“The important thing is that we set ourselves and our National Federations realistic, achievable goals and put plans into motion that will benefit boxing across the continent for years to come,” said Bayor.

“This means building on our solid framework of facilities, forming partnerships to maximise resources and raising the standards of coaching, officiating and, of course, boxing, so that we can host the biggest tournaments and produce the biggest names in the sport.

“We know that there are many aspects we can look to improve upon.”

AIBA have claimed the 2017 Year of Africa has been designed to "bring education, empowerment and a lasting legacy for the region’s boxing at the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic cycle".

The project is being implemented by the continent's 54 NFs, with AIBA and the AFBC set to host workshops, certified courses and provide hands-on boxing experience.

In total, 4,835 certified course places will be made available to expand the pool of referees and judges, coaches and technical staff.

Each NF will be expected to organise and coordinate events, laying foundations for future bids to host major tournaments.

A HeadsUp truck will house a portable ring and training equipment, giving people greater accessibility to boxing, while $100,000 (£80,000/€93,000) of equipment will also be available to communities, schools and local gyms.

“The AFBC launched its new website at the end of last year, and we want to reach a point where all of our NFs, not just a few, are adequately communicating their activities both to their boxers and the wider community and AIBA Family,” Bayor added.

“Equally, the AFBC is in constant dialogue with AIBA and we must be able to rely on our NFs to absorb the information we pass back to them and share it with their stakeholders.

“In terms of creating more opportunities for our boxers to perform at the top level, we will be encouraging NFs to work with their neighbours to resuscitate regional competitions that had been so successful in the past.

“We need more qualified Ring Doctors and ITOs so we can be more self-sufficient at these tournaments, and we are working with AIBA to determine the optimal calendar so we can confirm dates of workshops, seminars and courses across 2017, including during our AFBC Continental Championship in Brazzaville, so that we can elevate the standards of best practice in all areas.”