Commonwealth boxers� Venezuela trip flops

Lekopanye Mooketsi | Wednesday July 2, 2014 06:59

The boxing team recently returned from a tournament in South Africa and was supposed to leave for Venezuela last Wednesday. 

From Venezuela, the team was expected to head straight to Scotland on July 17.  

Team manager, Chigutshi Frank said they are still waiting for a response from the BNOC regarding the trip. He said visas are ready and they are only awaiting air tickets. He said they had submitted their request to BNOC on time but they have been told to wait. “We don’t know what the problem is. 

“They are not telling us anything. They have only promised to update us,” Frank said. 

He said they hope to travel abroad for training, even if to an African country. He however, ruled out training in Southern Africa. 

Frank said morale is low as a result of the aborted Venezuela trip. He said they were supposed to take part in a tournament in Venezuela last Saturday with boxing giants like Cuba. He said the tournament would have provided invaluable experience to Botswana boxers.  Frank described the latest developments as disturbing. 

“Since time is not on our side, we must come up with another plan to secure funding.  This is a major tournament, you can’t just go without sparring.  If we go straight to Scotland, there is no country that could spar with us,” he explained. 

“Our boxers are so demoralised. They cannot focus on training,” he said.  

Acting BNOC chief executive officer, Modisaotsile Phatshwane denied Frank’s claims that boxing officials had not been briefed about the financial situation.  He said they have been in regular contact with all affiliates regarding Commonwealth Games’ preparations. Phatshwane said they did not fund the Venezuela trip because they have not received money for the Commonwealth Games from the government. The Botswana Commonwealth Games boxing team is still in a training camp in Gaborone. 

The men’s team has Mooketsi Lekgotla, (49 kg), Oteng Oteng (52 kg), Kagiso Bagwasi (64 kg), Mmusi Tswiiso (75 kg) and Thabang Motsewabeng (81).  The women boxers are Keneilwe Rakhudu (60) and Pearl Morake (81).  

The team is coached by Khumiso Ikgopoleng and Thebe Setlalekgosi.