Several aspiring boxers and coaches have shown interest in participating in an upcoming coaching clinic, but the organiser is asking more people to register.
Top amateur boxing stable, MTC Kilimanjaro Boxing Club, will this month host a coaching clinic at Iipumbu Senior Secondary School in the Oshana region, which will be aimed at giving basic boxing skills to aspiring boxers and coaches.
The training will take place on the 26th of this month. Joseph Bernhard, the founder and coach at the club said, more than 50 people have contacted them in an effort to be part of the upcoming clinic.
He said although the clinic will focus mainly on teaching basic boxing skills, he would also like to use the opportunity to educate learners at the school that boxing can be chosen as a career. He added that there is a surge in criminal activities of late, and having that platform would be crucial in educating young people about the importance of taking up sport ,and how it could act as a way of escaping all social ills.
“Boxing offers more than just becoming a fighter. Through boxing, boxers train with structure, helping to develop mental discipline. It also helps build one’s confidence, especially in young people, which is important.”
“Also, being an active boxer or participating in any other sporting discipline keeps young people off the streets, away from drugs, and focused on positive goals. This helps in building one’s character by teaching respect, humility and sportsmanship,” he said.
With the number of interested participants shooting up by the day, the coach urged more people to join the good cause. He asked locals to join the initiative and fight anything that is harmful to children’s lives.
“I would like to ask the people in our areas to come and join this course. I believe if we want good things for our children, we will have to work together to ensure a good future for our young people is well-paved,” he said.
Meanwhile, a teacher at the school said, “I am excited about this initiative; boxing is one of the biggest sporting disciplines in the region, and us having this will be a game-changer. I would like to thank Bernhard and his team for reaching out to us to ensure a project like this is done.”
mkambukwe@nepc.com.na