Local boxers impress against Lesotho

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Wednesday September 1, 2010 00:00

 

Khubamang was speaking after Botswana emerged victorious against Lesotho in an international friendly tournament he organised in Gaborone over the weekend.  Botswana won six out of nine bouts.

The tournament was organised to help boxers from both countries prepare for the Commonwealth Games.

Khubamang said that though most Botswana boxers who competed at the event were relatively unknown, he was impressed with their performance. 'We need to give recognition to our boxers as boxing is one sport code that brings medals from international competitions,' he said.

Khubamang said he intends to make last weekend's tournament an annual event featuring stronger opposition. 'If we are going to prepare for tournaments as big as the Commonwealth Games, we need to compete against equally tough opponents,' he explained.

Khubamang asserted that the government should sponsor boxing and change from focussing too much on football. 'Codes such as boxing should be supported because unlike football where most of the money goes, we perform well,' he said.

Khubamang has already organised four successful boxing tournaments locally. 'My interest is developing boxing from grassroots in the near future,' he said. Reigning boxer of the year, Bathusi Mogajane, Oratile Kgalaeng, and Gomotsang Gasite are some of the boxers who took part in Khubamang's tournament at the weekend. The Lesotho team included the likes of Qhobosheane Mohlerepe, Mokhachane  Moshoeshoe and Tlotlisang Matsepe.Fairground Holdings and Scania Botswana sponsored the tournament.