Otukile grabs double at boxing awards
Dumisani Ncube | Monday November 30, 2015 10:58
The event was meant to recognise outstanding boxers in the last two years after last year’s ceremony was cancelled due to a clash of dates with a Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) ceremony.
Otukile, who has been a marvel since the 2014 Africa Youth Games where he won a gold medal, was the main highlight when he walked away with two awards for his efforts.
He was adjudged the Male Promising Boxer of the Year for both 2014 and 2015. Otukile was a bronze medallist during the Youth Commonwealth Games held earlier this year.
The young man was visibly overwhelmed with the recognition and was lost for words, as he could not say much while receiving the award.
Officials Etsogile Ngwako and Hlanganani Digwere also bagged two awards each for the best referee and judge of the year respectively for both 2014 and 2015. Other notable winners included female boxer, Pearl Morake; a deserved award after she won the Female boxer of the Year for 2014.
In his speech, former BoBA president Michael Moroka applauded the BNSC for funding boxing for P1.1 million. He however requested that the money be increased to at least P2 million to give the sport the impetus it needs.
He also pleaded for the number of boxers to be increased in the Olympic Games team. Meanwhile, BoBA vice president, Orapeleng Mosalakgotla justified the criteria used to select nominees as there were questions from concerned individuals, including boxers on the selection method.
“We were looking at who has a better profile compared to others for the past two years,” he said, adding that those who did not win were undeserving as per their profile.
“If you take for example, Zibhani Chikanda who won the best male boxer, won awards from different tournaments while his runners up had lower credits from their profiles,” he said.
Winners 2014
Female boxer of the year
Pearl Morake
Promising boxer of the year
Mohammed Otukile
Referee of the year
Etsogile Ngwako
Best judge
Hlanganani Digwere
Promising female boxer
Kealeboga Kenosi
Lechedzani Liza
Winners 2015
Junior female boxer of the year
Orapeleng Ketsametsi
Best referee
Etsogile Ngwako
Judge of the year
Hlanganani Digwere
Coach of the year
Thebe Setlalekgosi
Male boxer of the year
Zibhani Chikanda
Boxer of the year
Koketso Dipogiso