Hidden gems, scouts and sport enthusiasts are expected in numbers tomorrow at the informal settlement of Oshitenda in Windhoek where an amateur boxing tournament will be the centre of attraction.
The event is a platform for emerging talent to come to the fore and be in line to one day represent Namibia internationally. The development boxing tournament will feature about 20 boxing bouts in the flyweight, featherweight, lightweight and middleweight divisions.
Most of the fighters on the programme hail from informal settlements in Windhoek.
Speaking to Desert FM this week, Golden Boxing Club promoter Tobias Naule said residents from Oshitenda are in for a treat.
“It is going to be very exciting because we have a new sponsor in Castlebet Namibia. Things have now been a bit easier for us arranging the whole event because of the sponsor on board,” Naule said.
“There will be young and exciting boxers who are talented that we should look out for. We want to create that platform for them to be able to showcase their skills.
“What better way of showcasing their skills in the community where they come from than hosting the event there. In fact, the majority of these boxers are from those informal settlements,” Naule said.
He added that while there are many challenges, they are determined to take the tournament to the people.
Part of the motivation to host this edition for a second time, following the first in 2023, is providing the youth with activities to deter them from social ills.
“A development boxing tournament at Oshitenda is another edition of what we have hosted before in 2023, unfortunately we could not host the same event last year because of a lack of sponsorships,” Naule said.
“The response from the community in and around Katutura has been very positive. The fact that you see parents coming in willingly to enquire about the club with the hope of enrolling their kids, gives us reason to go out there and stage these tournaments,” Naule said.
Hosting the event at Oshitenda and not in an affluent part of Windhoek is an appealing concept to the sponsors, says Castlebet Namibia representative David Agusto.
“It was actually not a debate because at the end of the day the Golden Boxing Club’s aims and vision aligns with our objective as a company,” Agosto says.
“What Tobias [Naule] wants to do is actually giving back to the youth and community. It was not a challenge for us to come on board at the end of the day.”
The weigh-in for the competition will be held today and thereafter the boxers will be matched against one another. This exercise will take place at the Katutura Community Hall where Golden Boxing Club operates from.
The event’s location is along the Ombili Four Way. For more details, contact Tobias Naule at 081 626 3953.
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