The founder of one of the amateur boxing clubs in the country, MTC Kilimanjaro Boxing Club, said the club will continue with talent development by organising more outreach programmes. 

Speaking to this publication yesterday while sharing their plans for the year, Joseph Bernhard, the founder and coach at the club, revealed that they would continue with a mission to reach out to more schools. 

Last year, the stable conducted a talent development programme in Zambezi and the two Kavango regions, where students from various schools received training in basic boxing.

The stable also donated boxing equipment, books and other necessary stationery to various schools in those towns and regions. This year, the stable plans to continue with the programme. 

“Last year was a huge success in terms of living up to our mandate. We had a talent development programme in three regions, where we visited different schools to just teach them basic boxing… We also managed to execute the plans by offering lessons to learners at various schools, as well as interested teachers also received training as coaches, which has never happened before,” he shared.

He added: “I think this year we want it to be more than what we did last year, at least reaching out to more schools in the Oshana region and other surrounding places. The aim is really to instil discipline within the learners, and help them choose a good career path.” 

Matamu Moses, a teacher from one of the schools that received training last year, hailed the programme as a great talent nurturing initiative. 

“It was a great initiative and has exposed a lot of our pupils to a new sport. Many learners have gained a new hobby, and who knows, maybe we might get the next world champion from our region. I am thankful to MTC Kilimanjaro Boxing Club for the initiative, and we hope they continue to groom future champions,” said Moses.  On their plans for the year, Bernhard said they will stage their first boxing bonanza for the year in March. 

“The event will be held at Independence Stadium in Oshakati. This will strictly focus on amateur games and the aim for this event is to help prepare our boxers for the national championship later this year,” he said. 

Bernhard added that this year, he hopes to add women. “I feel like our young girls aren’t given the same opportunity to showcase their talent, and at the coming bonanza, I am going to include girls on the card,” he said.  -mkambukwe@nepc.com.na