- 3 boxers represented Team Botswana in Algeria
- Managed to get 1 medal compared to 3 in 2014
LETLHOGILE MPUANG
The Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) say they remain hopeful of success despite yet another ‘cold’ display at the recently ended Africa Youth Games (AYG) hosted in Algeria.
In the last edition of the games, which were held in Gaborone in 2014, the country’s boxing team managed to scoop three medals. It was during that competition that young promising boxers such as Mohammed Rajab Otukile (male) and Keamogetse Kenosi (female) busted onto the scene and won two gold medals. Since then, boxing in the country has underwent somewhat a very dry spell especially in international events.
Team Botswana, which included three boxers (2 girls and 1 boy) returned yesterday (Monday) from Algeria with a total of 14 medals including a ‘free’ silver medal that was handed out to Oteng Letloa (65kg). She received the medal after she was drafted straight into the finals and lost her bout and in the end getting the silver.
BoBA Public Relations Officer (PRO) Taolo Tlouetsile told this publication that although they expected the team to do better, but affording them a chance to gain international exposure was the main priority.
“We sent out three boxers to the competition Brian Galelemogwe (64kg) from Lotsane, Tshepang Kapinga (69Kg) & Oteng Letloa, (65kg) both from Mogoditshane which is boxing school of excellence,” Tlouetsile told Gazette Sport.
“We believe they could have done better, looking at the different factors. It is also important to understand that these kids need more international exposure to perform better at a higher level,” he explained further.
He added that they had desired to take more boxers to the event, which would have increased chances for more medals and given them the same exposure especially as the country will soon host the AUSC Region 5 games in December.
“If we could have sent more boxers to Algeria, to gain the needed exposure at a high level it would had been a plus for our preparations for the upcoming AUSC region 5 games and also we would have had a better chance for more medals at the AYG. As the hosts (Region 5 games) we have an obligation to perform better, but you have to prepare well to give positive results,” he continued.
“Looking at the challenges we can say it is not bad. As affiliates we agreed at our strategic workshop recently, the bigger picture is to stamp authority at zonal and continental competitions. The bigger picture is to make impact at international competitions,” concluded the PRO.