NAMIBIA’s amateur boxers returned from the Zone IV Elite Senior Boxing Championships in Gaborone crying foul over ‘biased’ officiating.
Despite being ‘robbed’, the fighters managed to collect seven medals – two golds, three silvers and two bronzes -finishing the third overall. Hosts Botswana won the tournament with three golds, two silvers and two bronze medals, while Mauritius was second overall with three golds, one silver and a bronze.According to the secretary general of the Namibian Amateur Boxing Federation Joe Kaperu, Namibia ‘should have had’ more medals but the predominantly Botswana officials had it in for his boxers.He said although Namibia’s boxers were clearly a cut above their opponents in most bouts, the judges’ cards reflected otherwise. ‘Things were hard,’ Kaperu told reporters in Windhoek yesterday. ‘The referees and the judges were not fair against Namibia. ‘It is difficult for Namibia to win at Zonal competition.’ Kaperu, who intends on bidding to host the event next year, said it was imperative that Namibia trained it’s own referees and judges. Coach Imms Moses echoed Kaperu’s claims, however he added the boxers needed to focus on the other events on the continent rather than sulk about the ‘unfortunate’ turn of events in Gaborone. Namibia’s medallists all qualified for the African Boxing Championships which is scheduled for in Yaounde, Cameroon from June 2 to 10. ‘Botswana made it a point that they eliminate Namibia because they know Namibia is always a threat,’ he said. ‘Our boxers did well. We cannot just cry over the cheating. We have to prepare for upcoming events. We really want to do well.’Super-heavyweight Tobias Munihango and light heavyweight boxer Mujandjae Kasuto got gold, while Commonwealth Games’ light-flyweight silver medallist, Japhet Uutoni, who was on allegedly a victim of the poor officiating got silver, and was presented with the trophy being part of the Best Bout of the Tournament.Lightweight Titus Aiyambo and heavyweight Johannes Shilimedimo also received silver medals, while bantamweight Simon Johannes and middleweight Elias Nashivela got bronze each.
