Zebaldt Ngaruka
The head of the delegation of the Omaheke Boxing team Alfonso Tjatindi said he is proud of the team’s performance at the Namibia Boxing Federation National Championship held in Grootfontein over the weekend.
About 150 boxers from 14 regions vied for a chance to qualify for the prestigious African Boxing Championship, scheduled to take place from 14 to 27 October 2024 in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Omaheke region only took seven boxers to the national event and managed to get a gold medal in the 48-kilogramme category courtesy of Martin Jonas from Otjinene Boxing Club (OBC).
There are only two boxing clubs in the region, namely Otjinene Boxing Club and the Gobabis-based Gentleman Boxing and Fitness Club (GBFC).
Tjatindi said his team competed against well-equipped and motivated teams from different 13 regions but managed to win a gold medal at a prestigious event.
“I am happy with the performance, it was not easy, but we managed to get a gold medal, which is a good beginning, and the future looks bright for our boxers,” he said.
The head of the delegation added that the competition was a learning curve and created an opportunity to mingle with experienced coaches and gurus from various parts of the country.
Apar t from Jonas , the Omaheke boxing team comprised Bruno Kandovazu from OBC, Ipuleni Timoteus, Petrus Kambo, Halanoye Imanuel, Elias MwetufaTauno Ipinge all from Gobabis GBFC.
Tjatindi expressed his satisfaction with the overall performance of all the boxers even though they didn’t get accolades, adding that the future looks bright and they will continue to groom them.
“We learned a lot, shared a lot of ideas in various boxing aspects such as team preparations, athletes’ motivation, as well as team building. Our boxers got the exposure, and that will help us to do better in the future,” said Tjatindi, who also works as an assistant sport officer in Otjinene.
Tjatindi also expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the event, adding that Omaheke is hopeful of hosting such a competition in the future.
“The organisation was exceptional, and we at the grassroots level need to be empowered and be on par with our counterparts from other regions. We need sponsorships in boxing. Hosting such events in the region will motivate and encourage more boxers to join or establish clubs in the Omaheke,” he pleaded.
Tjatindi said the region known as cattle country has millionaires, businesses, and corporate companies that are hardly aiding sport.
“I wonder where the problem is or is it perhaps, we the sport activists do not approach them or what?” asked Tjatindi.
Tjatindi also called on the other constituencies in the region to start sport clubs to expose the talent of the youth in the region.
Jonas defeated Robero Dauseb from the Khomas region to win gold for the Omaheke region still awaits the selection committee on his state of whether he qualify for the African Championship.
The Omaheke technical team apart from Tjatindi, consisted of Michael Hamunyela, who was the team manager, the head coach Tchacdor Pavlov, and Himeezembi Marenga as assistant coach.
-zngaruka@yahoo.com