Ndlambe boxers test their mettle
Big improvement in standards at district trials held in Makhanda
Boxers from Nemato and Kenton-on-Sea tested their skills against other amateur boxers at the Sarah Baartman District trials held in Makhanda on July 16.
Nemato’s Masibambisane Boxing Club and Kenton-on-Sea Boxing Club selected boys and girls aged 12 to 16 to represent Ndlambe in the Makhanda trials.
Masibambisane Boxing Club manager Monwabisi Hans explained the purpose of the trials.
“There were two categories in those trials. There were under 12 to 14 for both boys and girls. There were also juniors for boxers aged 15 to 16 years old,” Hans said.
The annual event was held in Mthatha last year.
“Sinelizwi Makhinza represented Ndlambe in the Sarah Baartman squad. He came back with a silver medal,” Hans said.
Hans appeared elated by this year’s improvement.
“There is much improvement this year. We’ve seen numbers increasing in our boxing training sessions,” Hans said.
A total of eight boxers from Masibambisane Boxing Club and Kentonon-Sea Boxing Club represented Ndlambe at the
District trials.
“Both these boxing clubs focus on development,” Hans said.
Boxers participating were Aneza Solakhe, Olwethu Mxhuma, Sibabalo Dili, Olona Mchelu, Lusenathi Mancam, Sinenkosi Nyakama, Mayizole Mbombela and Sinelizwi Makhinza.
Makhinza also participated in last year’s trials.
“Makhinza won two of his fights with knockouts on Saturday, showing the experience he gained from last year’s trials,” Hans said.
“From the trials, teams for the provincial championships are selected. The selected boxers are going to participate in the championships hosted by the Chris Hani District.”
The championships usually take place three weeks after the District trials.
Hans said they started local boxing development because they noticed the level of boxing in the Eastern Cape was declining. He said they wanted children to study, but they also needed something else to keep them constructively occupied after school hours.
He appealed for public support.