09 Jul 2023

Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) has not started any preparations for the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) Africa championship.

Considered to be one of the top drawer tournaments in the continent the championship takes place in two weeks in Yaoundé, Cameroon after being hosted by Mozambique last year.

Speaking on the sidelines of the monthly BoBA Interclub tournament at the Glen Valley multipurpose hall on Saturday, the association’s secretary general Taolo Tlouetsile said they had not yet confirmed participation at the AFBC tournament because the sport governing body, Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) had not yet approved funds for the tournament. Tlouetsile said they had not yet assembled a team for the tournament or started any training camp as all logistics of preparations were shaped by budget.Botswana did exceptionally well in the last edition of the African championship scooping seven medals in the process with Keamogetse Kenosi scooping gold, Aratwa Kasemang silver, Lethabo Modukanele bronze and George Molwantwa lost to South Africa in the final match.

The championship in Cameroon is expected to bring together the best boxers the continent can offer with a record number of countries having confirmed participation so far.

Tlouetsile said the weekend’s interclub tournament was a success despite non-appearance of some national team boxers in the over 22 bouts lined up for the day.

In the 51kg division, Kobamelo Molatlhegi proved that he was on another level with an easier than expected victory against UB’s Thabang Lekopanye. Molatlhegi landed a couple of jabs to his opponent’s face who was already battered going into the final round.

Prisons Boxing Club southpaw boxer Mmusi Tswiige nearly dropped Kethabile Machola with well-timed hooks in the opening round of the 75kg division.

The hard hitting boxer who has already made a cut in the professional ranks came out in attacking mode from the first bell and as usual displayed a great deal of poise to collect all the five points. In another 75kg match Shatiso Makhuni beat Maatla Rabasima of 125 club with the same scoreline.

In another interesting duel in the 54kg category Rajab Mohammed broke Botshelo Tshimologo of Gle Valley 5-0 in a short period of time. Referee stopped the contest in the 57kg division and came to Karabo Jani’s rescue and declared Mompoloki Sebula of UB the winner.

Tlouetsile said they were impressed with the level of participation by both female and male junior boxers who turned up for the event. He said it was a move in the right direction as they were preparing young boxers for upcoming regional tournaments. Botswana will take part in next year’s Region 5 Youth Championship. ends