The Free State Boxing Organisation (FSBO), which caters for non-professional boxing, has selected a competitive team to represent the province at this year’s national championship. The team is made up of 24 boxers: 7 women and 17 men.
The team was selected and finalised on 20 May during a tournament staged at the Mangaung Indoor Sports Centre in Bloemfontein. Numerous boxers, hailing from clubs in the five districts of the province, competed on elimination basis for a place in the provincial team. Those chosen will now go on to represent the province in the championship held in Limpopo.
This year’s tournament is scheduled to take place from 4 to 9 July.
The Free State was a notable absentee at last year’s national championship, which was staged in Durban, having pulled out on the eve of the competition. The provincial body’s leadership cited severe budget constraints as the chief reason for this.
Fusi Hlasoa, treasurer of the FSBO, said the provincial Department of Education’s schools sport unit could only provide transport to last year’s national competition. It was the second consecutive year the Free State did not participate in any national championships.
The provincial team’s withdrawal from last year’s competition resulted in the non-selection of Free State boxers for the South African national team that represented the country at the Region V Games, held in Malawi during December.
The Free State’s youth and elite teams will be attending a preparatory camp for this year’s national championship.
The 24 boxers who have been selected for the provincial team are listed below.
Women
Welemien Olifant (48 kg), Nthabeleng Mohono (44 kg), Palesa Machoabane (54 kg), Karabo Ngawadange (57 kg), Malefu Kobe (50 kg), Lerato Malefane (52 kg) and Thembisile Twala (57kg).
Men
Thato Mokoena (48 kg), Lehlohonolo Mootsi (51 kg), Bokang Hlongoane (54 kg), Gontse Maqelepo (57 kg), Tebogo Maphutse (60 kg), Sandiso Nhlapho (63,5 kg), Thabo Tjamolane (46 kg), Mohau Hlasoa (51 kg), Katleho Mokhethi (51 kg), Wandile Mtshali (54 kg), Ben Mokgosi (57 kg), Tsholedi Moloi (60 kg), Tshidiso Mosito (60 kg), Bonakele Lebethe (63,5 kg), Lefa Raboroko (71 kg), Karabo Lekhelebane (71 kg) and Wener Raademan (91 kg).
