Francistown Boxing Club has emerged the winners of the 2024 BOBA National Championships after bagging seven medals (four gold, two bronze and one silver) at the championships finals that were held in Gaborone at University of Botswana on the 7th-8th December 2024.
The 2024 BOBA National Championships had brought together 11 boxing clubs around the country that included Francistown Boxing Club, University of Botswana Boxing Club, Prisons Boxing Club, SSKB Boxing Club, One Two Five Boxing Club, Diamond Boxing Club, EMG Boxing Club, Glen valley Boxing Club, Botswana Police Boxing Club, Thebephatshwa Boxing Club and DTCB Boxing Club. University of Botswana took position two while Prisons Boxing Club secured the third spot.
Francistown Boxing Club had fielded a total of seven athletes at the finals, among them Rodah Monna (F) 52kg, Keobakeng Philip (F) 60kg, Treasure Moremi (M) 63.5kg Gold Medal and Shimane Kebadirile (M) won gold medals. Gift Modise (F) 57 kg and Otsile Mogobye (M) 51kg scooped bronze medal while Kethabile Machola (M) 75kg won a silver medal.
In an interview, Francistown Boxing Club Coach Choga Ntoti has told Times Sport that as coach he always strives to do the best in terms of ensuring that his athletes are well prepared and motivated to take part in every competition. Ntoti has stated that giving respect to his athletes was one of the things that keep them striving as the club.
He also said that they prepared for the championships for a month hence it was easy for them to win the competition. Ntoti has revealed that the competition was very competitive and tough as every athlete was thirsty for a win.
However, Ntoti has urged the organisers of the event to consider reaching out to different stakeholders and the business community to seek for sponsorship in order to help grow the competition. He stated that this could attract potential sponsors who can assist by awarding prize money to the boxers hence motivating more of them to take part in the competition.
According to Ntoti, the winners have only received trophies and medals as there were insufficient funds to reward prize money.
For his part, Botswana Boxing Association (BOBA) Secretary General Taolo Tlouetsile has told this publication that the objective of having all their competitions is to keep the association going, shape boxers, coaches, referees, judges and to plan for international competitions.
