Namibian boxers garner 11 gold medals

NAMIBIAN boxers punched their way to a total of 11 gold medals in their friendly bouts against opponents from Botswana and Zimbabwe during their tour to those countries recently.

In Botswana, the Namibian boxers, who all fought as amateurs, scooped five medals. Their opponents won the same number of medals and the event was declared a five-all draw.In Zimbabwe, the Namibian walked away with six medals, compared to only two gained by the opposition.The only three boxers who picked up gold in both countries were the experienced Nicky Natangwe, the up-and-coming Jatoorora Tjingaveta and Johnson Mwetupunga.Natangwe fights in the 64-kilogram category, while Tjingaveta trade blows in the 60 kg category.Mwetupunga is in the 75 kg class.In Botswana, Jafet Uutoni (48 kg), Johannes Gabriel (57 kg) and Johnson Mwetupunga all picked up gold medals.Unfortunately, one of the country’s top boxers, 2004 Commonwealth bronze medallist Paulus Ambunda, was denied his gold medal after the judges ruled in favour of his opponent, despite media reports in Botswana that Ambunda dominated the bout.For the Zimbabwe leg, which took place in the mining town of Mwenge, Sakaria Lucas (51 kg), Ambunda (54 kg) and Martin Haikali (60 kg) won gold medals.The boxers could however not receive their medals in Mwenge, as none were made available for the fights.Team manager Ambrosius Kandjii explained that they understand the economic situation in Zimbabwe and did not demand them either.He also added that due to financial constraints, Namibian boxers are finding it hard to survive, as some do not even have formal employment.”We could not even give all the boxers an allowance for their great performances outside our borders.They are really fighting under difficult conditions and we appeal to anyone who can assist us to prepare for especially the regional and international competitions,” he said.He was also upset about the slow progress being made by the Namibia National Olympic Committee’s Organising Committee and the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC) in putting in motion Namibia’s preparations for the Commonwealth Games.”So far we have not seen any commitment from these authorities in preparing Namibia’s athletes to this event.Some countries have already started with preparations some six months ago, but we still don’t know where we stand,” he said.He urged the authorities to speed up the process of sorting out the finances for the various sport codes.”Time is running out,” he said.Boxing, according to Kandjii, needs at least N$300 000 to prepare for the regional championships and the Commonwealth Games.Kandjii said the boxers will go back to camp to prepare for the Zone Six Championships early next year, while their main focus will be the Commonwealth Games later in the same year.”We are going back to the drawing board to work on certain aspects that we found need attention.We are going to work on the physical fitness of all the boxers and will also fine-tune various other aspects.”Meanwhile, Namibia Boxing Federation Secretary General Joe Kaperu has announced that Namibia will host the Senior African Zone Six Boxing championships from February 7 to 12 next year.From December 13 – 17, national boxing championships will be held in either Windhoek or Karibib, Kaperu added.Their opponents won the same number of medals and the event was declared a five-all draw.In Zimbabwe, the Namibian walked away with six medals, compared to only two gained by the opposition.The only three boxers who picked up gold in both countries were the experienced Nicky Natangwe, the up-and-coming Jatoorora Tjingaveta and Johnson Mwetupunga.Natangwe fights in the 64-kilogram category, while Tjingaveta trade blows in the 60 kg category.Mwetupunga is in the 75 kg class.In Botswana, Jafet Uutoni (48 kg), Johannes Gabriel (57 kg) and Johnson Mwetupunga all picked up gold medals.Unfortunately, one of the country’s top boxers, 2004 Commonwealth bronze medallist Paulus Ambunda, was denied his gold medal after the judges ruled in favour of his opponent, despite media reports in Botswana that Ambunda dominated the bout.For the Zimbabwe leg, which took place in the mining town of Mwenge, Sakaria Lucas (51 kg), Ambunda (54 kg) and Martin Haikali (60 kg) won gold medals.The boxers could however not receive their medals in Mwenge, as none were made available for the fights.Team manager Ambrosius Kandjii explained that they understand the economic situation in Zimbabwe and did not demand them either.He also added that due to financial constraints, Namibian boxers are finding it hard to survive, as some do not even have formal employment.”We could not even give all the boxers an allowance for their great performances outside our borders.They are really fighting under difficult conditions and we appeal to anyone who can assist us to prepare for especially the regional and international competitions,” he said.He was also upset about the slow progress being made by the Namibia National Olympic Committee’s Organising Committee and the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC) in putting in motion Namibia’s preparations for the Commonwealth Games.”So far we have not seen any commitment from these authorities in preparing Namibia’s athletes to this event.Some countries have already started with preparations some six months ago, but we still don’t know where we stand,” he said.He urged the authorities to speed up the process of sorting out the finances for the various sport codes.”Time is running out,” he said.Boxing, according to Kandjii, needs at least N$300 000 to prepare for the regional championships and the Commonwealth Games.Kandjii said the boxers will go back to camp to prepare for the Zone Six Championships early next year, while their main focus will be the Commonwealth Games later in the same year.”We are going back to the drawing board to work on certain aspects that we found need attention.We are going to work on the physical fitness of all the boxers and will also fine-tune various other aspects.”Meanwhile, Namibia Boxing Federation Secretary General Joe Kaperu has announced that Namibia will host the Senior African Zone Six Boxing championships from February 7 to 12 next year.From December 13 – 17, national boxing championships will be held in either Windhoek or Karibib, Kaperu added.