17 Jan 2016

The president elect of the newly established Professional Boxing Association of Botswana (PBAB) has expressed excitement about the registration of the association which is set to provide guidance for professional boxing activities locally.

Tsietsi Kebualemang, a veteran boxing administrator and renowned yesteryear boxer, was highly optimistic when delivering his maiden address that he was duty bound to lead an ambitious and supreme professional boxing body that will join ranks with other reputable professional boxing associations worldwide.

“Professional sport is all about participants deriving a living from it as well as entertainment that has a new meaning in the advert of corporate industry. Botswana has potential boxers and with limited promoters we urge individuals and the corporate sector to come forth and join professional boxing. Doors are open for neighbouring countries to also come and promote fights here or partner with locals,” said Kebualemang.

Kebualemang explained that PBAB was an autonomous body under the Registrar of Societies Act and that they were on the verge of applying for registration with the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) to become an affiliate.

He said this would allow his organisation to affiliate to the Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC), a supreme professional boxing body and with other professional regulating bodies such as the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Association (WBA).

The association postponed elections which were meant to fill up positions in the executive committee. Kebualemang explained that a date would be set for election of office bearers.

For his part, the secretary general of PBAB Willoughby Kemoen said the establishment of the association was a milestone in Botswana’s sporting fraternity. He said the effort was a money spinning initiative that was likely to alleviate poverty in some quarters. 

Renowned local professional boxing promoter, Bond Ngubula said the move was a step in the right direction as they would be able to ensure proper licensing and registration of boxers. He said they have long relied on an interim structure which had a limited mandate. Another professional boxing promoter, Isaac Pheko expressed satisfaction at the level of transition to professional ranks of amateur boxers locally, adding that it was a good move in extending their careers. Ends