Carl Frampton's old boxing club part of £200,000 cash boost

The funding is intended to carry out capital works to improve the premises of the clubs.

It will benefit three Belfast clubs; Cairn Lodge ABC, City of Belfast ABC, Midland ABC – Frampton’s home club – and one Carrickfergus club, Castle ABC.

The aim is to develop their facilities in a bid to increase membership in their clubs, in particular amongst girls and women, who are currently under-represented in the sport.

Mr Givan said: “This funding will bring much-needed improvements to boxing clubs in areas where sport can play a significant role within the local communities.

“Without improvements to these facilities, there could be a negative impact on both health and well-being for the young people who attend the clubs, and put their communities at a disadvantage.

“One of my department’s priorities is to increase participation in sport and this funding has the potential to do this along with bringing many other benefits to the communities in the areas served by these four boxing clubs.

“Sport NI has already commenced engagement with the clubs to progress these improvements.

“I intend to secure more funding to improve sporting facilities, including for boxing, and this is a first step in that direction.”

On Friday Frampton was welcomed back to Belfast by thousands of fans after his WBA featherweight title win.

The Belfast man became the first Northern Ireland boxer to win world titles at two weight divisions when he defeated Leo Santa Cruz in the US recently.