REPTILE Mineral Resources and Exploration (Pty) Ltd (RMR) last week handed over an upgraded training facility to Albertus Tsamaseb Boxing Academy (ATBA) in the presence of the sports officer in the Erongo Region, Selma Siwombe.
In addition, RMR donated boxing equipment valuing N$45 000 to the academy. The new equipment will significantly enhance the quality of training that the academy provides to its boxers, which will in turn help them to become more skilled and competitive in the sport and to prepare adequately for national and international competitions.
“I am forever grateful for the support we have received from RMR. We were in desperate need of equipment. I am happy and confident that my boxers will now be able to qualify for many fights in the future,” Albertus Tsamaseb said.
Martin Hirsch, exploration manager at RMR, further said: “The dedication and commitment of the academy’s boxers and coaches over the years despite difficult circumstances is exceptional. We are pleased to support the academy that empowers young people through sports in our Erongo Region and keeps delivering outstanding results.”
ATBA, located at the Vineta Sports Stadium in Swakopmund, is a registered non-profit organisation, serving previously disadvantaged community members.
The academy was established in 2001 by Albertus Tsamaseb, principal coach at the academy. Albertus himself a boxer in his heyday, opened the academy to train and inspire the youth to take up the sport he is so passionate about. Being a responsible family man and respected elder in the community, he also felt obligated to contribute towards community development by starting a venture that would help keep underprivileged and vulnerable children off the streets. To this end, half of the academy’s trainees are former street kids that hail from disadvantaged backgrounds, most notably from the DRC informal settlement and Mondesa.
ATBA provides a safe training environment that instils co-operation, athleticism, sportsmanship, commitment and self-confidence in its members. The academy strives to promote a sense of community and to build the confidence and fitness of its members as they actively participate in training programmes and boxing competitions.
Over the years ATBA has produced national and international champions. Amongst the top achievers are Gottlieb Ndokosho, Danny Boy Felesianu, Abraham Ndaendapo, and Jonas Junias Jonas.
Gottlieb Ndokosho started training at ATBA in 2001. Since then he has obtained the International IBF title in 2014, and the IBF Africa title in 2012 and 2015. He also held the national champion title between 2002 and 2006.
Jonas Junias won a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and is one of the boxers at ATBA who has been training at the academy since the age of 10. Jonas has already qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
One of the young talents at ATBA is Fillemon Nghtenanye. Fillemon won in a junior bantamweight fight at Desert Rumble 3 that took place at The Dome Indoor Sports Centre in Swakopmund in August 2018.
Most recently, boxers of the academy successfully participated in the National Boxing Championships in Katima Mulilo. The boxers brought home four gold, one silver and three bronze medals with local Joy Nangalo being elected as the best boxer of the tournament.
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