07 Apr 2022

Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) in collaboration with Debswana will host the Debswana BoBA awards at Fairgrounds Holdings in Gaborone on April 9.

In an interview with BOPA on April 6, BoBA public relations officer, Moitshephi Nkabiti said the awards, sponsored by Debswana at P250 000, had nine categories, which would be competed for by three individuals.

Nkabiti explained that the nominees were selected looking at their performances and noted that the awards were meant to recognise talent and create a platform for competition to grow the sport.

“Everyone would like to see themselves nominated and winning, and this will push all to work hard and in the process grow the sport,” he said.

The first category, female boxer of the year, will be competed for by Lethabo Moduakanele of UB Boxing Club, her team mate Aratwa Kasemang and Olympian, Keamogetse Kenosi of DTCB boxing Club.

Jorge Molwantwa from BMC boxing club, Tefo Maitewa of Molepolole boxing club and Olympian, Mohammed Rajab from Mafika boxing club will lock horns for the best male boxer of the year.

He said the most promising male boxer would be competed for by Lesego Tshenyego from Molepolole boxing club, her team mate Kgotla Tladi and Maxwell Sechi of Prisons boxing club.

Khumo Nko of BMC boxing club, Dolly Mosekiemang from Glen Valley boxing club and Gift Modise from Francistown boxing club will battle it out for the most promising female boxer award.

He indicated that the battle for best judge award would be between Lone Batsalelwang, Gaseitsewe Ponatshego and Sam Kareng, while the best referee award would be competed for by Gaolatlhe Topo, Sam Kareng and Godfrey Kably.

The competition for Coach of the Year award, he said, would be between Gibson Rauwe of Prisons boxing club, Mothusi Taele of Eastern Military Garrison (EMG) and Lechedzani Luza of UB boxing club.

He highlighted that the Administration of the Year award would be competed for by UB, DTCB and Tsholofelo boxing clubs, while the battle for the Affiliate of the Year award would be between SSKB, DTCB and UB boxing clubs.

BoBA PRO further encouraged all stakeholders to work together in growing boxing, noting that there was great talent that needed to be nurtured. ENDs