Stranded boxer sends SOS

OPUWO boxer Ruben Kandimba is “stuck and struggling” in Windhoek after his fight fell through last month due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The 27-year-old was set to fight Japhet Amukwa in a super flyweight bout on 11 April on MTC Salute Boxing Academy’s first bill for the year.

But the advent of the rampaging Covid-19 pandemic saw the event called off in line with government prevention and containment regulations.

Namibia first announced a partial lockdown for the Erongo and Khomas regions from 27 March to 16 April before extending the confinement countrywide to 4 May last week.

“I did not plan to stay here long. It’s almost two months that I’m here. I have nothing. I’m unemployed. I came here for a fight, as it’s through boxing that I get something to help myself,” said a sullen Kandimba on Wednesday when reaching out to The Namibian Sport saying “things are not going well”.

As he had done for his previous five fights, he journeyed from his hometown to Windhoek two weeks in advance to “get better training” ahead of his latest showdown.

“I thought it [postponement] is just for a few days or a week before we can fight again. But then the lockdown was announced and I couldn’t go back home,” said Kandimba, who is being ‘helped’ by an acquaintance whom he regards as “a brother” in Goreangab.

“For now, I’m staying with him. It’s not his house. He is employed but I can’t ask more than what he’s giving me,” Kandimba said of his living arrangement.

The environment is also not conducive for maintaining fitness in anticipation of the resumption of his career after the lockdown. He has won three of his five fights to date, with the others ending in a draw and a loss.

“I want to be in good shape when the lockdown is over. I try to run sometimes, but when the police see us, they stop us and tell us to go home. You have to listen. I’m just stuck here and struggling. I can’t do anything for myself. I can’t contribute money for food or anything. I can’t go home and I can’t even go out to get work,” he said.

Trainer Risto Ashikoto assists the boxer with basic necessities whenever possible and urged the sports ministry to expedite the stimulus package for athletes.

Namibia Sports Commission chief administrator Freddy Mwiya was due to submit a motivation for sports relief to the ministry on Wednesday.

“I know everybody is affected, but there are those who are affected very badly. As a gym manager of Power-Power Development & Boxing Academy, my heart is always in pain to receive calls from my boxers telling me how difficult it is without fights,” Ashikoto sympathised.

“Two of my boxers were supposed to fight on 11 April in a Salute promotion, and to them boxing is their only income. So, when they heard that all the sports events are cancelled they broke down in tears.

“Last week, I met another boxer from Erongo and he told me he was only in Windhoek to prepare for a fight which was supposed to be on 28 February in a [MTC] Sunshine [Academy] promotion. Now he is stuck in the city with no food and no suitable accommodation,” Ashikoto said.

“I am appealing to the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board to look for sponsors and for the sports relief fund to be approved to help these starving athletes.”