29 Jun 2016

Botswana Boxing association (BoBA) secretary general, Irene Ntelamo has called for advancement of women boxing standards. 

During the association’s AGM recently, Ntelamo said women boxing had been stagnant since 2011, hence the need to create necessary efforts towards advancing the sport. 

She explained the problem arose from lack of practice caused by lack of enough women boxers in the country. 

Most of the boxers did not have sparring partners, which made it a challenge for a boxer to train to their best ability 

The issue was brought forward to the association to give headway during the association’s consultative session after one of the members raised the issue. 

However, Ntelamo said she had come up with necessary measures, which would work towards helping them conquer the challenge they were facing. 

“I have a proposal that I intend to submit to African Confederation Boxing Championships (AFBC) of our plan that seek to advise them on how to help us develop women boxing in Botswana,” Ntelamo said. 

She said the idea was to come up with policies to make it an obligation for clubs to recruit and field female boxers during competitions. 

Furthermore, she said the plan was to train and have qualified women boxers. She added that since it takes a woman to understand another woman, having a lady trainer would be an added advantage. 

Ntelamo also said the development did not only intend to apply on the ring, but would extend to other fields like supporting cast on the side line. 

Though with their strong intentions that were reflected on their strategic plan to engage man to work alongside women in the boxing arena, Ntelamo said it was not an easy task since they had to work on retuning the male dominated sport perception to accommodate women. 

However, she said the association would put in rigorous energy to make sure women were well developed. 

“I have in place a workshop meant for man in boxing leadership to sensitise them to change their mind set, so as to treat women the same way as they do to male boxers,” she added. Ends