Nestor Tobias, a leading boxing promoter, is critical about the lack of amateur boxes in the country. This helps ensure that future boxers have the necessary experience.
Tobias stated that boxing champions are made in the rigorous amateur ranks when he spoke to Desert Radio.
He claimed that the Namibia Boxing Federation is failing to provide fighters with opportunities.
“Those champions have gone through the grassroot programmes. One has to maintain the fundamentals of keeping the amateur tournament because boxers have to compete in the SADC boxing championship, continent, world championship, Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games,” said Tobias.
“That is the structure of any sport, including boxing, in terms of sport development. Since the days of former NBF secretary general Joe Kaperu, boxing programmes at grassroots level were evident.”
“Today, people running amateur boxing take it very lightly, they don’t embark on any regional or national developmental programmes.”
Benjamin Rebang, NBF president did not respond via email, text or WhatsApp to questions. When he was called for comment, he did not answer the phone.
Tobias argued that clubs are keeping boxing alive, while little is coming from national boxing organizations.
“They are inactive and I think they either lack support from the sport commission or the government to run their programme,” said Tobias.
Tobias asked the boxing leaders to take a more active role in the development and growth of the sport.
He stated that amateur boxing tournaments used to be held all over the country in the past. However, this is no longer the case.
Tobias also challenged the logic behind the decision by the national leadership to host a national championship. It is not known if boxers will perform at the championships.
He stated that there is an urgent need for amateur boxing clubs.
He stated that Namibia has the potential for producing both world and continental champions if a development programme is implemented and maintained.
Source: namibian
