Mixed reactions as ‘Shakes’ retires
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday December 4, 2021 06:00
The Hall of Fame inductee said he would not seek re-election when PBAB goes for the elective congress. “Yes, I have informed PBAB members that I would not be seeking re-election during an elective congress.
I have decided to retire because of community engagements in my village,” Kebualemang told Mmegi Sport. Bond Ngubula of Bond Boxing Promotions appreciated the efforts that Kebualemang made over the years and the love he had for the sport. “Unfortunately, I felt that he did not possess qualities of a good leader and that led to zero growth of the association,” Ngubula said.
Thuso Khubamang of Scud Missile Promotions said Kebualemang has been with boxing for a very long time. He said the veteran boxing administrator was a national team coach during his days as a soldier. “During those years, we were youngsters at school and he trained us in the national team. We continued working together until the formation of PBAB. Now his time has arrived for him to go back to his village and serve as a headman. He informed us that his new role means he would not have time for PBAB,” he said.
Khubamang said he felt it was still early for Kebualemang to retire because PBAB is still in an infancy stage. He said Kebualemang has done a lot for boxing and they have learnt a lot from him.
He said when they came into the scene, Kebualemang was already in the picture. He was passionate about boxing which is why all his former teammates have long retired. Kebualemang has an impressive track record in boxing. He started his journey as a boxer in 1968 and became a coach. He would then become an administrator until to date as the president of PBAB. Kebualemang was the national team coach when boxing brought a medal from the 1991 All Africa Games.
The games were qualifiers for the 1992 Olympic Games. Kebualemang was in the ringside, coaching France Mabiletsa when he won a bronze medal at the 1994 Commonwealth Games.