Zebaldt Ngaruka 

The vice president of the Epukiro Sports Council (ESC) Ngatuuane Hange says boxing has been neglected for a long time, compared to other sports codes in the Omaheke region.

He said a lot of attention is given to football, netball, athletics, and volleyball, with boxing coming last.

“We have thought about establishing a boxing club that would nurture the talent of boxers in our tiny Epukiro constituency. The time is now. We are working closely with boxing gurus in the area and the region at large to revive the sport,” he said. This comes after Omaheke was only represented by two boxing clubs from Gobabis and Otjinene at the recent boxing competition held at Grootfontein. 

“This did not paint a good picture at all, and that pushed the ESC to come up with plans to revive the dying sport code in the region. 

We will strive to involve all stakeholders in the region in this initiative,” he said. Hange said the focus will be reviving boxing at schools in the constituency as they host future boxers. “We will set up a committee that will do thorough research, and start with basics. I have already had consultations with some boxing gurus like Pleka Hoveka as well as teachers on the initiative,” he added.

He said the Directorate of Sports in Omaheke region will be a major partner in the development of this sport.

“We will update them on this and see where they can assist us either with infrastructure or boxing experts to guide us where they can,” said Hange. The major challenge will be sourcing boxing equipment and training facilities.

“Of course, that is the number one challenge, but we will try our best to get sponsors and funds from residents of the region. It is time the business community and farmers in general invested in this neglected sport,” he said.

 New Era Sport also contacted Epukiro Secondary School sport officer Meeja Meeja, who said the revival of boxing will keep pupils from many after-school challenges. 

“This is good news from ESC, and we will support them fully. Our learners will now have something to occupy them after school,” he said.

He expressed concern over the little progress made in sporting activities in the area as many youths now roam the streets doing nothing, resulting in them resorting to alcohol and drug abuse.

“If a boxing club is established, it would give our learners the opportunity to also fight at national level.
The government must help with infrastructure and equipment, as that is difficult to acquire,” said Meeja.  

The idea to revive the sport has also been welcomed by Good Hope Primary School sport officer Pauldia Tjerivanga, who said it would help in nurturing talent from a tender age.

Morukutu Primary School sport officer Kasukona Tjituka welcomed the idea, adding that the senior pupils at the school will get an opportunity to expose their talent. 

“We all know that boxing is one of the biggest sport codes in the country, and it will be good to see boxers from as far as Otjijarua representing the country in future,” she
said.

The ESC says it will soon call a meeting to discuss the revival of boxing in the constituency.

– zngaruka@yahoo.com