Botswana boxers’ plight

Source : KUTLWANO

Author : Baleseng Batlotleng

Location : GABORONE

Event : Sports feature

Over the years, Botswana amateur boxers` ultimate aim has always been to set impressive records were they to find their way into professional ranks.  However, lack of a professional set up in the country has forced them to cast their eyes across the border in South Africa. 

Even then, breaking through has never been that easy for the likes of Leslie Sekotswe, Herbert Nkabiti and Gomotsang Gaasite, amongst others. South Africa has a soft spot for its nationals.  

For some time now, Sekotswe and Nkabiti have seemingly remained in hibernation hence Kutlwano went out on trail of these gentlemen. Nkabiti who quit the army for professional boxing in 2009 says he went to South Africa to realise his dream which unfortunately is yet to materialise.

“I am grateful that I have built my profile and I am ready for a title fight. I don`t have a promoter that I signed with yet hence things are too slow.  Nonetheless, I am positive that something will come up,” reveals Nkabiti. 

Nkabiti made headlines when he entered the South African boxing scene and notched an impressive record. Out of 10 fights, he won eight by knock out (KO) and registered one draw and a loss.  He says most managers give their nationals priority given that they have to win national titles before going international. 

Nkabiti says he has been without an official sponsor, noting that without a personal trainer, manager and promoter, a boxer`s good record cannot guarantee one any good deals. 

“Our training requires money, so you should have a supporting structure before you can start making money. That is why most professional boxers have side jobs to help them survive,” laments Nkabiti.  He says despite the shortcomings, talent is abundant in Botswana. Nkabiti is based in Francistown and only travels South Africa whenever he has a fight. 

Meanwhile, a new entrant in professional boxing, Gomotsang Gaasite who goes by the ring name 48, says he is enjoying himself so far. He won all his three fights. “I strive for 100 per cent every time I step into the ring because the most important thing currently is to build my profile to attract sponsors,” he reckons.

For 48, professional boxing requires a lot of patience, hard work and perseverance. With such, there is hope for a better future. “It is not easy but there is always light at the end of the tunnel. There are still a few challenges I meet on the way. For instance, it is difficult to get sponsorship as I`m new in the industry,” highlights the boxer who is guided by a local promoter, Bond Ngubula. 

He believes that were sponsors to get more involved in professional boxing, Botswana would go far. However, his advice is that “boxers who aspire to turn professional should start at amateur levels to gain exposure and experience”. 

For Sekotswe, turning professional, one has to consider certain variables such as age, saying the earlier the better. “Promoters want an outstanding performance record because it is business and they want to make money out of you,” reckons Sekotswe. Also, to survive in a abroad, one has to have a sponsor to pay rentals and training gear, amongst other things.

“A country cannot develop and promote another country`s sportsmen. Therefore, it is not easy at all to make it abroad despite your talent,” warns the boxer. Sekotswe is back in Botswana because he has no sponsor but says he is working with different people to host a World Boxing Federation (WBF) title fight. The Bantam weight boxer says his desire is to fight before the end of the year than quit like most of his frustrated compatriots. 

Meanwhile, Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) public relations officers, Mmaotho Segotso, says they are aware of the boxers` plight. However, since professional boxing is not under AIBA (International Boxing Association) they cannot intervene even if they had the desire otherwise they risked suspension from international boxing. 

Segotso, nonetheless, pins hope on the mother-body`s new structure which includes AIBA Professional Boxing (APB). She says they are working around the clock to ensure that the new constitution is implemented. 

The PRO hopes the new setup will help them account for athletes most whom just varnished after graduating from amateur levels. It is also hoped that APB will curb exploitation of boxers. 

“Once we have a professional boxing setup, we will be ready to work with such boxers provided they are interested. Some might prefer to ply their trade abroad and we cannot stop them.”  

WBF official, Howard Goldberg, once urged Botswana to have her own professional boxing structures for the sport to grow and now his words are beginning to weigh heavily on BoBA. ENDS

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…lack of professional structures weighing heavily on their shoulders