EC squad selected for national champs

Eastern Cape boxers heading to the national championships in KwaZulu-Natal in July have promised that they are going to do everything in their power to win more gold medals this year.

Speaking to Mthatha Express during the Youth and Elite Provincial Championships held at Cicira Hall in Mthatha this past week, the boxers assured supporters that they are going to make sure they win in the national championship.

Mihlali Mtengwana, who is among the boxers who won gold medals during the tournament, said she is ready for the national championship in KwaZulu-Natal province in July.

“I was not expecting to win the gold medal today, but I thank you God for this wonderful victory and I am looking forward to the nationals now, and I can promise that we are going to do wonders in KwaZulu-Natal as team Eastern Cape.

This is the third time Mtengwana had participated in to the national championships; the first time was in 2022 and she came back with the silver medal in KwaZulu-Natal. In 2023 she went to Mpumalanga and again won a silver medal.

“But now I am aiming for the gold medal,” she said.

From left are Eastern Cape department of sport,Recreation and arts and culture assistant director responsible for development, Avile Qowa, boxer Liyema Yaso and ECABO president Mziyanda Noqhayi.

Photo: Hoseya Jubase

President of Eastern Cape Open Boxing, Eastern Cape Amateur Boxing Organisation (ECABO), Mziyanda Noqhayi, said he is also confident they are going to win at the national championship.

“Boxers were well prepared, especially the females who have improved a lot and that shows that they are ready. There is a lot of improvement in boxing in the province and boxing is alive, and we are very happy with the standard of boxing even though there is still room for improvement,” said Noqhayi.

Meanwhile the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture assistant director responsible for development in the Eastern Cape, Aviwe Qowa, said she was excited with the hunger and determination shown by boxers during the Youth and Elite provincial championships this past weekend.

Qowa said one of the bouts that excited her was between Qama Kilani from Masibambane Boxing Club (Sarah Baartman District) and Likhaya Ngesi from the University of Fort Hare Boxing Club (Amathole District).