Boxers prepare for Olympics

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Thursday January 10, 2008 00:00

 

The four are; Khumiso Ikgopoleng (54kg), Thato Batshegi (57kg), Gaolatlhe Mpotsang (60kg) and Hebert Nkabiti (64kg).

Ikgopoleng, Batshegi and Nkabiti need no introduction as they have proved their mettle in the past. Mpotsang is a new boxer who made waves towards the end of last year when he outclassed favourite Gomotsang Gaasite in a closely contested bout during the Keone Mooka Mageu Championships. It remains to be seen how he fares at international level against established African boxers. Those who know Mpotsang say he is capable of pulling a surprise as his performance has been improving in every competition.

Botswana coach Johannes Ditlhabang said yesterday that they have not encountered any problems at the training camp. 'We are looking forward to the qualifiers and with the same commitment, I believe that we can make it to the Olympics and bring a medal home,' he said. Ditlhabang asserted that they expect Lesotho boxers to arrive in Gaborone tomorrow for joint preparations for the qualifiers. 'Their coming here is very important to our preparations as far as sparring is concerned. But we will have to be careful not to give away too much because they are our future opponents,' said the coach. South Africa are also expected to arrive in the country tomorrow.

Batshegi, who was in a class of his own during the Keone Mooka Mageu Championships, said that being in camp has helped them to prepare well for the games. 'Our belief is that at least two of us should get a place at the Olympics,' he said.

Botswana Amateur Boxing Association (BABA) spokesperson, Willough Kemoen believes that the boxers are in the right form to compete against the best in North Africa. 'They gained enough preparations at the Keone Mooka Mageu games and they will have a chance to compete at the Inter Club Championships before leaving for Algeria. As you are aware, the Best of the Best Games, feature the finest boxers in Botswana,' he said. Inter Club Championships will be held at the UB Student Union Hall on January 19.

'We have an Olympic Cycle which monitor the boxers' progress over a period of four years. It is not that we chose them basing on their performance during the Keone Mooka Mageu Championships,' explained Kemoen. The BABA spokesman said that if the Botswana boxers fare badly in Algeria, they will have another chance to get a place at the Beijing Games during the second African Olympic qualifiers billed for Namibia in March.

The team is coached by Ditlhabang and assisted by Cuban expert Leonel Viciedo. World acclaimed referee/judge, Michael Moroka will accompany the team that leaves for Algeria on January 21.