2015-03-19Staff Report 2 WINDHOEK - At first glance one would possibly mistake them for super hot models, but Jo-May Bezuidenhoudt, Mimosa Noabes, Tia Buchani and Leandre Xoagub are determined to become much sought-after commodities on the Namibian women boxing scene. With the Namibia Boxing Federation (NBF) currently busy putting the final touches to its long awaited introduction of competitive women boxing, at both amateur and professional level, the quartet of Jo-May, Mimosa, Tia and Leandre who all hail from the garden town of Okahandja will debut at today’s Independence Cup, hosted by the NBF at the town hall. Entrance is free. Speaking to the press yesterday, NBF Secretary General Joe Kaperu said the decision by the federation to feature upcoming female boxers at today’s tournament is to create awareness while also setting the first step in the introduction of women boxing at amateur level. “We expect more female boxers from all corners of the country in future. It will be the first time we accord them an opportunity to compete at a much higher or competitive level, so I really hope they will rise to the occasion and prove themselves,” said Kaperu The long-serving boxing administrator also assured that the debuting of female boxers at today’s competition is no flash in the pan as the NBF will try its level to stage more such tournaments, depending on the availability of funds. Shaningwa promises fireworks against Junias Also on the menu at today’s Independence Cup is the fight between rivals Lazarus Shaningwa and Commonwealth silver medalist and 2014 Sports Achiever of the Year, Junias Jonas Junias, which will be the main bout of the day. Speaking in the absence of his opponent, a highly confident Shaningwa promised to go all out and finally put their rivalry to bed by convincingly defeating Junias in their light welterweight bout. There will also be other attractive bouts featuring boxers from various regions, with clubs like the Far North Boxing Club and others from the Khomas and Erongo regions to mention a few. Kaperu added that after the Okahandja Independence Cup, they will host a similar tournament next month where they will select a team to represent Namibia at the African Boxing Confederation (ABC) Zone-4 Championship in Pretoria, South Africa, also next month. 2015-03-19Staff Report 2
