Namibia: Stop Making Excuses for Failure, Says Shifeta

Sheefeni Nikodemus

11 March 2011

Deputy Sport Minister Pohamba Shifeta yesterday told boxing administrators to get their act together and stop making excuses for their failures.

Shifeta said the time had come for boxing officials to prepare fighters capable of competing and not just play the role of flag bearers at international events.

He made the remarks at Telecom Namibian’s sponsorship presentation of N$250 000 towards the hosting of the annual Elite Boxing Championships. The championships will be used to select 16 boxers and four officials to go into camp for the upcoming inaugural Zone IV Boxing Championships as well as further international contests during the remainder of the year.

The champions crowned during the championships will represent Namibia at the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for the May 23 to 28, the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique between September 3 and 18 as well as the Boxing World Championships in Busan, South Korea from September 26 to October 1.

“We do not want excuses like the last time in Swaziland,” Shifeta said in reference to the poor showing by Namibia at the Zone Six Under 20 Youth Games during December. He added that infighting and petty bickering was detrimental to progress in the sport code.

“There will be no excuses this time, he said. “Prepare our boxers well. We must be prepared to compete and not just go to participate at international competitions.”

Shifeta also urged more business to rally behind sport in the country in order to provide an alternative employment outlet.

“I encourage other business to get behind our sport people,” Shifeta said “People who do sport can use it as an economic benefit. Many people can be employed through sport. It is something that is undermined at the moment. It is part of our government’s theme.”

Telecom Namibia’s managing director Frans Ndoroma said he expected the sponsorship – the fourth in a row – to be put to good use.

“We expect that the funds will be spent transparently,” said Ndoroma. “We do not want to be associated with controversy.”

However he added that his company had committed to sponsoring the event because it gave them value for their money.

A total of 150 boxers are expected to take part in the tournament, with 45 coaches and managers, and 30 referees and judges.

The event will be held at the Anna Shipena Secondary School in Windhoek between March 29 and April 2.

“We firmly believe that Namibia will produce world-class champions on both amateur and professional level,” Ndoroma said.

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