Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) president Michael Moroka issued the warning before the boxers departed for the final training camp in Mauritius. BBA held a sending-off ceremony for the squad at the Big Five Lodge on Friday evening. "Watch what goes into your body. You will never know if the drink you are taking contains some banned substances. So be very careful," Moroka said. He added that the International Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) will make sure that all boxers who reach the semi-final at the Commonwealth Games are tested for banned substances, hence the need for caution. The warning comes after 800m runner Onalenna Baloyi recently became the first Botswana athlete to test positive for a banned substance. He has been slapped with a two-year ban after the incident.
Moroka asked the boxing team to bring home at least a silver medal if not gold. He said they are going to New Delhi to compete, not to participate. The team has six boxers: Bathusi Mogajane (49kg), Oteng Oteng (52kg), Tirafalo Seoko (54kg), Mmoloki Nogeng (60kg) Gomotsang Gaasite (64kg) and Moabi Mothiba (64kg). A lot will be expected from the boxers as there are arguably the most experienced fighters the country has ever sent to a competition of this magnitude. The team has so far participated in the Zone VI Championships, Africa Championships, World Championships and the Commonwealth Championships. Award winning coach, Johannes Ditlhabang leads the team as head coach with Orapeleng Mosalakgotla as his assistant. The team departed on Saturday for a two-week training camp in Mauritius from where they will head directly to India. A total of 256 boxers are set to compete at this year's Commonwealth Games that takes place from October 3-14.
