31 Jul 2024

A renowned local professional boxer, Moabi ‘The Eagle’ Ngaka will face South Korea’s Lee Juyeong in what promises to be an epic showdown at the Legendary International Boxing Championship at the Hoiana Resort and Casino in Vietnam on Saturday.

Ngaka, who left for Vietnam on Tuesday, said during a press conference in Gaborone on Monday that he was more than ready and prepared for the fight.

He promised to win his fight at a boxing event expected to host fighters from seven countries.

Ngaka thanked Serenity Rehabilitation Centre for having afforded him psychological training, which had significantly enhanced his performance and mental resilience.

University of Botswana (UB) Chancellor, Tebelelo Seretse said UB found it fit to support and accompany Ngaka to Vietnam when approached by Serenity Rehabilitation Centre.

She said Ngaka deserved all the support and sponsorship, as an ambassador who continued to shine a light on Botswana.

The Chancellor thanked Serenity Rehabilitation Centre for having seen the trip as a chance to explore new opportunities that would benefit the centre, UB and the country. 

She said the university was not only involved in academia, but was also involved in sports development. 

She also appealed to the private sector to also support and sponsor other sporting codes, like boxing.

UB Associate Professor and Sports Scientist, Professor Tshepang Tshube said at the age of 28, Ngaka was ready to go to Vietnam as he had passed the identification stage by a coach and was moving away from the development stage, given his age and level of performance, as a professional boxer.

“So, the development stage is a whole complex science.

It’s very easy for someone to say I can coach Ngaka to be the best, but for you to coach him to be the best to the level where he is, science is very crucial. 

A Sports Psychologist, Exercise Physiologist and Sports Nutritionist are needed,” he added.

For that reason, Prof. Tshube said it was important for UB to be part of Ngaka’s Vietnam trip as the university had all the expertise to support him to reach to the highest level required.

Serenity Rehabilitation Centre founder and operations director, Morwadi Mosenki said the centre aimed to expand its services to specifically cater for the rehabilitation needs of sports persons in the country.

In line with this initiative, she said the centre had identified UB as a key partner, in recognition of its expertise, particularly as the only university in Botswana offering Sport Science programmes.

She said the collaboration would not only benefit the centre and the university, but would also benefit the country. Mosenki also appealed to the nation, more especially the business community, to support and sponsor talent in sport. Ends