16 Apr 2024

Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) has sent a team of eight national team boxers to partake in the Mandela African Boxing Cup scheduled for April 15-21 in Durban, South Africa.

The Botswana team will be among the 363 boxers (males and females) from 41 countries across the African continent, who will take part in the seven-day tournament, which will be held at the Durban International Convention Centre.

The Cup will also feature boxers from Afghanistan. Team Botswana is made up of Kobamelo Molatlhegi (48kg), Rajab Mahommad (52kg), George Molwantwa (54kg), Mmoloki Sekwaipe (57kg), Kabelo Seitshiro, Sekhutlo Kutlwano (63kg), Phekie Bele (54kg) and Keamogetse Kenosi (57kg).

BoBA public relations officer, Gaone Motshwanaesi said the team would start action in the tournament today at 2pm with Kutlwano, who would be fighting from the blue corner against Lucia Groening of Swaziland on the red corner.  Sekwaipe, who will also be fighting from the red corner, will follow in a bout against Laurent Mba Engo of Gabon. Molwantwa, who will be fighting from the blue, corner will face Toka Litabe of Lesotho fighting from the red corner.

Motshwanaesi said the team was  accompanied by three coaches being Thebe Setlalekgosi, Pearl Mooketsi and Gibson Gauwe.Boitumelo Taolo is the team manager.

According to the International Boxing Association (IBA), the inaugural Mandela African Boxing Cup aims to promote unity and social cohesion in Africa and the association has funded it to the tune of US$500 000.

South Africa Sports says the inaugural Mandela Africa Boxing Cup also comes at a time when South Africa is celebrating 30 years of freedom.

“It is an honour for our country to be celebrating the gains of our democracy through the sport of boxing, a sport which was enjoyed by the father of the nation, Nelson Mandela, the Noble Peace prize winner for his role in ending Apartheid in South Africa,” says SA Sports. ENDS