BABA hopeful of more Olympics berths

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Wednesday February 13, 2008 00:00

 

 Speaking to Mmegi Sport yesterday, BABA Secretary General Marx Nthusang said that they are expecting the likes of Thato Batshegi (57kg), Gomotsang Gaasite (60kg), Herbert Nkabiti (64kg) and Moabi Mothibi (69kg) to qualify. 

'The experience and the exposure they have should be an advantage to them and we expect them to make it to the Olympics,' he said. While Khumiso Ikgopoleng became the only boxer to qualify for the Olympics, Batshegi, Gaolatlhe Mpotsang and Nkabiti could not make it at the last qualifiers in Algeria as they were knocked out in the preliminary stages. Ikgopoleng qualified after he beat his South African opponent, Joseph Mhlongo in the 54kg bracket. He will be representing the country for the second time at the Olympics. Nthusang said that the performances of the Olympics hopefuls were satisfactory over the weekend in the Best of Best tournament held at the University of Botswana (UB). It is also expected that exciting boxers Bathusi Mogajane (48kg) and Kgomotso Bok will also want to represent the country in Beijing. The next Olympics qualifiers are scheduled to take place in Namibia next month. He said that though the Namibia qualifiers are the last chance for the local boxers to book tickets to Beijing, he is hopeful that they will have an advantage since Namibia is a neighbouring country. 'It will be more like a home advantage to us,' he said.

He said that the Best of the Best tournament went well adding that the momentum was very high. He, however, said they need to get a sponsor for the tournament to make it more competitive and attract more boxers.

Still at the Best of the Best tournament, Mogajane defeated Kgageng Kgageng (SSKB) 24-13 points in the 48kg category in the finals. Mogajane (BMC) had in the semi-finals beaten Thatayaone Royal while Kgageng had defeated Junior Moeti (UB). There was a closely-contested bout in the 51kg category though Bok managed to overcome Oteng Oteng (UB). He won by 17-14 points. Thapelo Zuze of UB Club beat Boitumelo Taolo of Francistown boxing club in the 54kg category. In the 57kg category, Batshegi out pointed Batsho Maripe of Tsholofelo boxing club while Gaasite (Francistown) defeated Mpotsang (Selebi-Phikwe) in the 60kg category. Nkabiti (Francistown) overcame Larona Francis (SSKB) in the 64th category. Moabi Mothiba (BDVC) defeated Arnold Tsele (GBVC) while Lawrence Mbangiwa beat Oteng Phatshwe in the 69kg and 75kg categories respectively. 

Meanwhile, BABA has awarded the outstanding performers of the year. Nkabiti was chosen as the Boxer of the Year while Gilbert Khunwane took the Coach of the Year honours. Etsogile Ngwako was selected as Referee of the Year while the Judge of the Year award went to Hlanganane Moses. Simple Masake was named the Administrator of the Year.