20 Apr 2021

Three national team boxers, two of them Olympic bound, are in Belgrade, Serbia, for an international camp and tournament.

Botswana Boxing Association (BOBA) communications officer, Taolo Tlouetsile said the three boxers were Otukile Mahommed, George Molwantwa and  Keamogetse Kenosi.

They are expected to participate in a tournament slated from April 22 to 28.

The boxers are accompanied by assistant coach, Choga Ntoti, fitness and conditioning technician, Boago Lentshaletse, team manager, Gilbert Khunwane, psychologist, Kagiso Tlhabano and team doctor, Dr Mmoloki Maswabi. Coach Lechedzani Luza is expected to join the entourage later.

Tlouetsile said the first objective of the camp was to help the boxers gain fitness before the tournament.

He said the second objective was to focus the Tokyo bound athletes’ mind on the Olympics.

He noted that the last time the team competed was at the African Olympic qualifiers in February 2020 in Senegal where Kenosi qualified.

He said the tournament would also assist the technical team to work on its plans and preparations.

Tloutsile said Molwantwa, who has not yet qualified for the Olympics, was used as Mahommed and Kenosi’s sparring partners. He said the Belgrade tournament would also help Kenosi to find female sparring partners.

Meanwhile, Tlouetsile also noted that Japan’s Ambassador to Botswana recently hosted the 100 days Olympic count down.

He said the count down showed that the Olympics were just around the corner.

He said their objective was to have the team participate in more tournaments and training camps abroad. He added that they hoped Botswana National Olympic Committee would support and fund the remaining preparatory activities.

 “As BoBA we have to start preparations and do all in our power to support the technical team.

We believe boxing can do well if we prepare thoroughly despite the COVID-19 challenges,” he said. ENDS