Young boxers flex their muscles at regional bouts

Rundu played host to the Telecom Namibia Elite and Youth Boxing Championship which saw 94  boxers participate in nine weight divisions. Mathias Hamunyela representing the Namibian Police walked away with Gold and the Best Boxer award in the light flyweight category.
Namibia Boxing Federation (NBF) President Kelly Nghixulifwa said at a press briefing this week that he is happy with the standard of boxing displayed by the young boxers adding that the tournament was held in preparation for next year’s events.

Already chalked in for the next boxing season are the Zone 4 Championships Elite, scheduled for Angola in April next year, and the Africa Open Championships in Mauritius. The Commonwealth Games, the Youth Olympic Games and the AIBA (International Amateur Boxing Association ) World Boxing Championships are also set to take place in 2014. “These two teams, the elite senior and youth teams, will go through training camps in preparation for next years competition” Nghixulifwa said mentioning that two friendly bouts with Botswana and Zambia are scheduled as part of the longer preparation process.
The reigning champions, the Khomas Boxing Federation however did not show up to fight in the far northern town of Rundu while Omaheke was late for the weigh-in. Telecom Namibia spokesperson Oiva Angula said that Olympic style amateur boxing needs regular activity to improve the technique of amateur boxers and discipline to set amateur boxing  in the right direction. A referee and judge coaching course was also held at Rundu with experts brought in to facilitate the programme. Of the 42 judges trained only three did not make the cut.  Nghixulifwa said that the sport is experiencing a shortage of judges and referees for amateur bouts as more experienced judges tend to move to professional fights. Although the annual general meeting of the NBF took place during the championships, no elections were held as the regions did not send eligible candidates for nominations. A committee was appointed by the Sports Commission in setting up structures in the regions.  Nghixulifwa said that all national boxing federations should meet AIBA requirements before April next year with the NBF constitution set to change to accommodate this. He added that if any administrative function of sport is not maintained properly, that sport code would be in jeopardy. Telecom Namibia vouched that their sponsorship for the development of boxing will continue. This major sponsorship was set to expire this year.