The biennial tournament is, along the Olympic Games, the highest competition in boxing. Botswana sent Kobamelo Molathegi (48kg), Rajab Mahommed (52kg), George Molwantwa (57kg) and Kagoetsile Raokgwathile (60kg), with Thebe Setlalekgosi as the coach.
By failing to reach podium position, the local boxers missed out on the $200,000 (approx. P2.6million) first prize money, while the first runner-up receives $100,000 (approx. P1.3million) and bronze medallist go home with a still cool $50,000 (approx. P650,000).
Molwantwa went furthest while Rajab lost in the last 32 against a Kenyan opponent. Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) spokesperson, Moitshephi Nkabiti said the association is naturally disappointed with the performance, but it was all down to preparations. “As Botswana Boxing Association we are not happy with the results but we cannot beat ourselves too hard because the camping period was not enough.
We camped for less than 10days. We were not well prepared but at the end of the day we had to go to the competition; prepared on not prepared and considering the fact that the boxers trained here and there at the start of the year,” Nkabiti said. He said lack of funds also affected the team. “We didn’t have money the International Boxing Association paid for our accommodation and tickets and we were limited to only four boxers,” he said. “On the positive side, its exposure for our boxers and George Molantwa managed to sail through to the next round.
He was beaten on a split decision by a Ghana opponent. Only Ghana and Zambia boxers proceeded the furthest an indication that Africa performed poorly,” Nkabiti added. He said BoBA ise doing well and if the World Championships were an African competition, the local boxers were going to emerge with medal. “All in all we need to get exposure in such competitions as they help us technically.
Our eyes are on preparations for Paris (Olympics) 2024.” He said the tournament in Uzbekistan was not a qualifier but meant to improve individual rankings. The team will now turn its attention to the Africa Olympic qualifiers in Cameroon on June 13. “We hope our boxers will do well. It will further give them exposure,” he said.
