NBF announces championship

Boxing
Jesse Kauraisa
The Namibia Boxing Federation (NBF) has announced that it will host the elite men and women national amateur boxing championship from 03 to 05 October in Grootfontein.

The event was initially planned to take place during September, but had to be postponed due to a lack of funding, organisers said.

The prestigious event will bring together at least 130 top boxers from all 14 regions of Namibia, who will compete for spots on the national men’s and women’s boxing teams across different weight classes.

The selected teams will represent Namibia at the African Boxing Confederation Championship slated for 14 to 27 October 2024 in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.



Grooming referees and judges

This year's championship will also feature the International Boxing Association (IBA) one-star referee and judges course. This course marks the first internationally recognised training of its kind to be held in Namibia, offering an opportunity for practical learning and assessment for aspiring referees and judges.

Through its financial support program for national federations, the IBA will also support the event by providing competition equipment, including IBA-accredited gloves and head guards.

The IBA will also cover the expenses for the course instructor, ensuring expert guidance and training for all participants, the organisers revealed.

“Hosting this course in Namibia is a dream come true for us," said Benjamin Rebang, president of the Namibia Boxing Federation.

“It represents a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance the quality and standards of boxing in our country. We are excited about the positive impact this will have on our officials and the sport as a whole,” Rebang added.



Stakeholders

The NBF extends its gratitude to the International Boxing Association (IBA) and the Ministry of Sports, Youth and National Service for their support in making the event a reality.

The NBF says the commitment of these contributors towards the event has been instrumental in enhancing the experience for both boxers and officials.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support from IBA and the Ministry. This collaboration will not only elevate the skills of our referees and judges but will also improve the overall standard of our national competitions,” the federation noted.

The Federation is still seeking additional support for the event, including prizes, medals, trophies for winners, accommodation and meals for participants and officials. For inquiries or to offer support, contact Benjamin Rebang at 081 255 6777 or Petrus Kashango at 081 288 5831 or 081 242 3022.