THE Otjiwarongo Town Council should be applauded for hosting the 21 May MTC Salute Boxing Academy’ ‘Unomasa champions collide’ showcase, headline sponsor MTC said yesterday.
Natanael Kakololo (13-3-1) and Tanzania’s Kasimu Hamad Haji (11-5-2) will contest the WBA Africa featherweight title in the main bout, with Fillemon Nghutenanye (8-0-1) fighting Jafet Amukwa for the vacant WBA Pan Africa flyweight strap.
Former African champion Lukas Ndafoluma is also on the bill, while Lazarus Namalambo will also face Gabriel Ndjaba for the national bantamweight title on the night.
The benefits of hosting sport competitions are numerous, said MTC corporate affairs manager John Ekongo.
“We have always held the belief that sport should not be monopolised by the Khomas region because it’s a nation-building activity,” he said.
“So, we must endeavour to take it to as many corners of the country as possible. It creates an impetus in the local economy of any hosting town, and it gives hope to young men and women who want to be part of sport,” Ekongo said.
“Sport in general in Namibia is a very expensive undertaking because so much must be achieved but so little is given.
The funding that MTC provides, is a drop in the ocean. If you have to think about paying sanctioning fees, preparing purse money and administrative fees for both the local and international controlling bodies, and making sure the event takes place, takes a lot out of somebody’s sales.
“And if your sales are not properly geared to face these headwinds, you’ll always come up short.
“In that regard, we’ve always said to other corporates let’s hold hands and make things happen.”
Otjiwarongo will subsidise on accommodation and competition venue costs.
“This is an indication that stakeholders are coming together to make sure that development takes place because government cannot do it alone and boxing stables cannot do it on their own, hence we need collaboration,” said MTC Salute Boxing Academy executive member Fredrich ‘Baiano’ Nghiyolwa.
Otjiwarongo mayor Gotlieb Shivute welcomed the spotlight on the town.
“Otjiwarongo is the capital of Otjozondjupa region. We’re surrounded by several towns, whose residents will be flocking there on 21 [May]. So, rest assured that the stadium will be packed to the rafters, as an indication of love for the sport,” said Shivute.
“Otjiwarongo is very pleased. We’re welcoming you to be part of this magnificent event.”
MAIN MAN
Kakololo (33) said the entertainment value of his fight would be worth the entrance fee.
The ex-ABU featherweight champion and one-time WBO inter-continental title challenger impressively bounced back from two back-to-back high-profile losses.
He stopped compatriot Johannes Niinkoti (3-6-4) in the fourth round in October before getting a unanimous decision over Romeo Makwakwa (7-9-1) from Malawi.
“Kasimu is a very good boxer. But I’m not here to talk about him because I don’t trust him, I trust myself,” Kakololo said.
“So, come 21 May, I’ll be the WBA African champion. I’m ready for him. If he’s ready, it’s gonna be a very good fight. If he’s otherwise, it won’t go the distance.”
Kakololo is relatively favourite to claim the title, given that his 25-year-old East African opponent has a patchy record, having lost nearly half as many fights as the number that went in his favour.
The Tanzanian’s last fight ended in a second-round TKO success over compatriot Boniface Massawe in Dar-es-Salaam on 22 January.
Before that encounter, he had failed to see the end of the second round against IBF continental Africa super bantamweight champion Ayabonga Sonjica from South Africa.
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