UB closure forces boxing to move venues
Naledi Lemogang | Thursday March 2, 2017 14:46
BoBA competition manager, Pheto Tsheko told Mmegi Sport that University of Botswana (UB) was supposed to host the tournament but after the institution’s closure due to strike, they were forced to move to GSS.
He said the UB closure negatively affected them, as they had to search for an alternative venue.
“We have been looking for places but Gaborone Senior is the one that has responded to our request,” Pheto said. He said they did not receive responses from some places where they had sought to host the tournament. This will be the first 2017 boxing tournament and is expected to attract 74 boxers.
Tsheko said for boxers to qualify for this year’s championships, they should win 15% of their fights.
He said they are eager to host the tournament as they take it seriously.
“We have not yet received the list of the teams yet but we are expecting 74 boxers,” Tsheko said.
Meanwhile, Tsheko said he is aware that Botswana boxing was not represented at last year’s Olympics and they aim to change that.
He said they want to produce quality boxers during this year’s inter club competitions.
“My intention is to invite different highly qualified coaches during the inter clubs so that they observe the boxers’ performances because some clubs do not take these competitions seriously,” he said.
He said they are doing their best to take local boxing back to the top and have requested the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) to assist in bringing an international coach for the national team.