Boxing champs go to Keetmanshoop

THE southern town of Keetmanshoop is to host the 2007 Namibia Senior Boxing Championships slated for December 12-15.

Kelly Nghixulifwa, President of the Namibia Amateur Boxing Federation (NABF), confirmed this at a media conference yesterday. He said the decision to host the championships at Keetmanshoop was prompted by a request by the governor of the Karas Region, David Boois, to host the annual event in his region.Participants will be drawn from all 13 affiliated regional sub-federations as well as the three associated members namely Nampol, the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) and the Osire Refugee Sport Club.About 155 boxers and 55 officials will attend the event.The boxers will compete in 11 weight categories and based on their merit performances at the championships they would be considered to represent Namibia at upcoming international boxing events such as the Pre-Olympic Qualifiers slated for Algiers, Algeria, from January 8 to 13 next year.The other competitive events include the Africa Boxing Confederations (ABC) Zone Six championships that will take place in Mbabane, Swaziland in February next year as well as the second round of the Pre-Olympic Qualifiers, that Namibia will host in March next year.”It is the aim of the Namibia Boxing Federation to first of all keep the Namibia flag flying high by qualifying four to five boxers during the qualifying rounds and to do the utmost for Namibia by competing with dignity at the 2008 Olympic Games by providing a big surprise,” said Nghixulifwa.Telecom Namibia has pledged N$112 815 towards the hosting of the event.Namibia SportHe said the decision to host the championships at Keetmanshoop was prompted by a request by the governor of the Karas Region, David Boois, to host the annual event in his region.Participants will be drawn from all 13 affiliated regional sub-federations as well as the three associated members namely Nampol, the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) and the Osire Refugee Sport Club.About 155 boxers and 55 officials will attend the event.The boxers will compete in 11 weight categories and based on their merit performances at the championships they would be considered to represent Namibia at upcoming international boxing events such as the Pre-Olympic Qualifiers slated for Algiers, Algeria, from January 8 to 13 next year.The other competitive events include the Africa Boxing Confederations (ABC) Zone Six championships that will take place in Mbabane, Swaziland in February next year as well as the second round of the Pre-Olympic Qualifiers, that Namibia will host in March next year.”It is the aim of the Namibia Boxing Federation to first of all keep the Namibia flag flying high by qualifying four to five boxers during the qualifying rounds and to do the utmost for Namibia by competing with dignity at the 2008 Olympic Games by providing a big surprise,” said Nghixulifwa.Telecom Namibia has pledged N$112 815 towards the hosting of the event.Namibia Sport