Major cash boost for boxing

THE Nestor “Sunshine” Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy yesterday received close to N$200 000 from Telecom Namibia to host a Box and Dine evening on October 9, a first of its kind in the country.

The event, which will be held at the Windhoek Country Club and Resort, will see Namibia’s first title fight between two of the country’s top boxers, Paulus “Silent Assassin” Nuumbembe and Betuel “Tyson” Ushona. The two welterweights are undefeated as professionals, with Nuumbembe having won nine straight fights, while Ushona has eight wins under his belt.The money will be used for the gala event, with the proceeds of ticket sales to be given to the academy.Telecom Namibia Managing Director, Frans Ndoroma said they felt that Namibian youngsters today need all the support they can get.”Boxing is a popular sport code in this country and we are only too happy to work with the boxing academy and help young boxers realise their dreams in any way we can,” he said.Ndoroma said the academy, a unique facility in Namibia, allows local boxers to train in a modern and well-equipped gym.”I hope the funds will assist with the organisational development and the building of capacity of the coaching staff.We are not going to sit back and wait for the results, but we need to be updated on the progress of the boxers at the academy.This means that we want responsible management of the funds that will go towards that facility,” he said.Ndoroma said Namibia needs to develop the skills to organise boxing more effectively, assess where the needs are and also work out new ways of raising finance and sponsorships for the development of boxing.”There are good boxers out there who don’t have training facilities or good promoters and as such do not practice or fight regularly, it is therefore proper for Telecom Namibia to be co-operating with the boxing academy in its efforts to raise the standard of boxing.Air Namibia’s Manager for Public Relations and Advertising, Ellison Hijarunguru said his company, who are also sponsors of the event, wants to see Namibia producing professional boxers in three to five years on the world rankings.He said Nestor Tobias, who is the founder of the academy, has been doing a stupendous job over the years and Air Namibia intends to enhance an everlasting foundation especially on the grassroots development of boxing.The academy which was started in 2000, has just over 100 registered amateur boxers, while it boasts of 11 professionals.Acting President of the Namibia Professional and Wrestling Control Board, Kelly Nghixulifwa, said the academy started to train youngsters at amateur level and then provided professional coaching to new professional boxers which were held across the country.Nghixulifwa urged the corporate world to rally behind code to help the boxing fraternity to reach its desired heights to have more boxers to the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.The supporting bout during the Box and Dine evening will feature Namibia’s professional boxer, Paulus “The Hitman” Paulus taking on South Africa’s Evans Makaleka in the in the light weight category.Joseph “Smokey Joe” Hilongwa, who is currently rated number five in the world in the light-flyweight category, will take on David Iita from Walvis Bay.In the junior welterweight category, Jason ‘Taks’ Naule will make his pro debut against Daniel Kashela in a four rounder.Details regarding the sale of tickets on the Box and Dine evening can be obtained from Nghixulifwa on 081 122 2712.The two welterweights are undefeated as professionals, with Nuumbembe having won nine straight fights, while Ushona has eight wins under his belt.The money will be used for the gala event, with the proceeds of ticket sales to be given to the academy.Telecom Namibia Managing Director, Frans Ndoroma said they felt that Namibian youngsters today need all the support they can get.”Boxing is a popular sport code in this country and we are only too happy to work with the boxing academy and help young boxers realise their dreams in any way we can,” he said.Ndoroma said the academy, a unique facility in Namibia, allows local boxers to train in a modern and well-equipped gym.”I hope the funds will assist with the organisational development and the building of capacity of the coaching staff.We are not going to sit back and wait for the results, but we need to be updated on the progress of the boxers at the academy.This means that we want responsible management of the funds that will go towards that facility,” he said. Ndoroma said Namibia needs to develop the skills to organise boxing more effectively, assess where the needs are and also work out new ways of raising finance and sponsorships for the development of boxing.”There are good boxers out there who don’t have training facilities or good promoters and as such do not practice or fight regularly, it is therefore proper for Telecom Namibia to be co-operating with the boxing academy in its efforts to raise the standard of boxing.Air Namibia’s Manager for Public Relations and Advertising, Ellison Hijarunguru said his company, who are also sponsors of the event, wants to see Namibia producing professional boxers in three to five years on the world rankings.He said Nestor Tobias, who is the founder of the academy, has been doing a stupendous job over the years and Air Namibia intends to enhance an everlasting foundation especially on the grassroots development of boxing.The academy which was started in 2000, has just over 100 registered amateur boxers, while it boasts of 11 professionals.Acting President of the Namibia Professional and Wrestling Control Board, Kelly Nghixulifwa, said the academy started to train youngsters at amateur level and then provided professional coaching to new professional boxers which were held across the country.Nghixulifwa urged the corporate world to rally behind code to help the boxing fraternity to reach its desired heights to have more boxers to the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.The supporting bout during the Box and Dine evening will feature Namibia’s professional boxer, Paulus “The Hitman” Paulus taking on South Africa’s Evans Makaleka in the in the light weight category.Joseph “Smokey Joe” Hilongwa, who is currently rated number five in the world in the light-flyweight category, will take on David Iita from Walvis Bay.In the junior welterweight category, Jason ‘Taks’ Naule will make his pro debut against Daniel Kashela in a four rounder.Details regarding the sale of tickets on the Box and Dine evening can be obtained from Nghixulifwa on 081 122 2712.