The Botswana Boxing Association (BOBA) is sending a total of eight boxers to the upcoming Zone 4 African Boxing Championships to be held at Estrela Vermelha Pavilion Maputo, Mozambique from the 26th February to the 3rd of March 2025.
The countries that have already confirmed their participation include Botswana, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, Namibia, Tanzania and Malawi. The Zone 4 Championships qualify boxers for the African Boxing Championship and All Africa Games. The winners of these competitions qualify for the Olympic Games.
BOBA Secretary General Taolo Tlouetsile told Times Sport in an interview that as part of their preparations the team resumed training camp at the beginning of this month in Gaborone. He noted that the competition is important as it would give local boxers exposure. Tlouetsile expressed that the competition is also a learning curve and a stepping stone to bigger fights for local boxers to showcase their talent.
He also indicated that the tournament gives them an opportunity to gauge the boxers’ performance. Tlouetsile stated that their intention was to send and field more boxers to the competition but they have since been limited by funds.
BOBA has since last year decried financial constraints which hampered efforts to conduct robust training camps and participation in international competitions including most crucially the Africa Boxing Championships in the DRC and Cameroon. The association had to cancel several tournaments last year due to lack of funding.
On the other hand, DTCB Boxing Club Coach Thebe Setlalekgosi has told Times Sport that the first female boxer to represent Botswana at the Olympics, Keamogetswe Kenosi started her training two weeks ago following a one-year break from boxing. Setlalekgosi stated that the one-year break was meant for the decorated boxer to refresh her mind and body.
“Kenosi has recovered, rested and looking for a comeback, hopefully if she can perform well, she will be eligible for selection to participate in international competitions,” he said.
Meanwhile the team to Mozambique is made up of Kobamelo Molatlhegi (DTCB), Mmoloki Sekwaipe (EMG), Letlhogonolo Makgolela (UB), Ribbin Modise (Prisons), Keatlaretse Modise (Francistown BDF), Keobakeng Philip (EMG), Kutlwano Sekhutlo (SSKB) and Dorcus Tlhabologo (Diamond Boxing Club). The team is under the tutelage of Choga Ntoti (Francistown Boxing Club) and David Kemoitsholetse (EMG Boxing Club) while Gaone Motshwanaesi is the Team Manager.
