BoBA targets four medals at All Africa Games
Tumelo Mouwane | Monday July 27, 2015 13:03
The target is to bring home at least one gold medal and three silver medals.
“We also want to win the up coming Five Nations tournament and that will prove our ability to compete. I have also informed my superiors that my intention getting into the Africa Games in Congo is to at least bring home one gold medal and three silver medals,” Tsheko said.
Despite his criticism of the friendly boxing tournament that was held at the University of Botswana over the weekend, Phetogo said the boxers are in good shape to compete adding that the tournament was a good preparation.
“The interclub competition according to me is not a success since clubs did not turn up as we had expected. We had invited all the local boxing clubs, but only few clubs turned up for the event. Clubs that turned up also sent a very small number of athletes, but the players showed readiness to compete anytime,” he said.
He added that the national team is currently in camp revealing that they had invited South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland to the tournament as a preparatory event, but only Lesotho managed to show up. “We suspect that monetary issues hindered South Africa’s presence since their government funds their association. We have not heard from other teams, but Namibia had promised to come,” Tsheko said.
Phetogo further said more work still needs to be done towards the All Africa games, as they are to host the Five Nations tournament. “We are still to host Five Nations tournament with Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland expected to turn up,” he said.
Meanwhile, Phetogo said officiating at the local boxing events must be improved and urged women to come forth and take part in the sport. “Officiating must be improved. We have few officials who dedicate their time to the sport and more needs to be done on that aspect. Our association also needs to do more advertising to appeal to the masses when we have events of this kind,” he advised.