03 Jan 2022

 The late Willoughby Kemoen has been described as a unique figure and a gift to mother earth.

In a memorial ceremony hosted by Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) and Professional Boxing on Sunday in Kanye, speakers took turns to describe Kemoen as a friend to all who cherished unpretentiousness.

A retired soldier and Professional Boxing outgoing president, Mr Shakes Kebualemang hailed the fallen hero, noting that he wanted to make a difference in sports and other spheres of life, thus imploring fellow citizens to borrow a leaf from him.

Mr Kebualemang described ‘Willow’ as one of the few who upheld integrity, thus making him to be a cut above the rest, adding that the nation had lost a great man in him.

Kemoen joined Botswana Defence Force in 1990, where he established a boxing club at Glen Valley BDF camp.

 

“Willoughby also started a boxing club in Tlokweng after his early retirement from BDF to focus on sport development, working in a committee that was geared towards professionalising the code,” he said.     

 

He said back then the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture did not exist and Attorney Generals’ Chambers assisted with guidance on legal issues, adding that promoters then started to stage fights.

He narrated how the late Willow wrote all the letters needed to register the game to the relevant authorities, all of whose response was positive.

He described the late Kemoen as a pioneer, who served the sport wholeheartedly to take it to another level at the time when remuneration for sports personalities was little or none existent.

For his part, president of Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA), Gilbert Khunwane said the sport fraternity had lost a great man, who would be difficult to replace, while acting secretary general of Extension Gunners FC, Mr Benson Mere said Kemoen loved sport and wanted to see Gunners becoming better. “He pledged his love and heart for the development of sport in numerous ways,” he said.

He said people and in particular the sport fraternity should emulate him and continue from where he left to ensure his legacy lives on.

Ms Irene Ntelamo, a member of women commission said Kemoen was wearing many hats, had many colours, and was a jack-of-all-trades.

She said he was a great warrior in what he believed in and would fight for it to the bitter end. She said the late spent sleepless nights soliciting for sponsorship to develop sport, noting that he dreamed and lived boxing.

She said he faced sport challenges head-on, which made him a special gift, especially that he literally gave his all to the sport without expecting anything in return.

A relative, Kitso Kemoen said the late was a great man, who had great potential and was firm in decision-making.

He described him as a jolly person who left behind fond memories. He said should Kemoen have exploited and tapped into his full potential, he would have been a television or radio personality.

Kemoen played boxing at Lobatse Senior Secondary School and had great skill that inspired many to become professional boxers. Kemoen, who succumbed to illness while serving as a board member of Ngwaketse Land Board, died on December 29, 2021 and will be buried in Kanye on January 4. BOPA