Tlouetsile dreams big for boxing
BoBA SG aims for Paris 2024 and hosting major tournaments
I think as an office, we would like to qualify for Paris 2024, and then maybe go to the next round; we may get to the quarterfinals or semis.
The newly elected Botswana Boxing Association ( BoBA) Secretary General, Taolo Tlouetsile has a daunting task of restoring the amateur boxing association to its former glory. Tlouetsile, who previously worked as a sports journalist has charted a unique career path that has seen him leaving the media industry behind to become a respected sports administrator. He has recently shocked established entities to become an elected sports official that has since settled into his new found career path.
Perhaps, Tlouetsile’s career trajectory can be compared to that of the current Minister of Sports, Tumiso Rakgare, who was a radio sports personality a few years ago before taking a detour into politics and eventually landing at cabinet. Taciturn, soft- spoken and unassuming, the Kanye native, may not be a Minister yet but he has always been a dark horse known for shell- shocking his rivals and leaving them in awe at the polls. Following his victory this past weekend, the reserved sports administrator seemed to be still settling in his sensational victory as the key man who will be expected to take local amateur boxing to the next Paris 2024 Olympics.
“It is not an easy thing to say, this is why I won or lost in politics. I would think the affiliates saw my work from the previous portfolio and maybe they wanted continuity. Maybe they understood my message,” Tlouetsile said in an interview this week
Quizzed on his vision for BoBA in the next four years, Tlouetsile, while referring the question to the president said: “one of the key issues is to make sure BoBA activities start; we review our strategic plan and we hope school sports will be back soon.
We want to have more Re ba Bona ha Centres. We were nominated for six categories at the last Botswana National Awards. We hope to continue doing well in different activities.”
The former scribe said: ” There are many things, the outgoing President raised issues like full time secretariat, car assigned to BoBA, to have a coach at the school of excellence and return to competitions.” According to Tlouetsile, BoBA has also requested for a full time coach for the national team. ” I think we are also going to continue engaging MYSC and BNSC on issues raised. We want an office, and have since raised it at the last BNSC assembly.” In addition, Tlouetsile said there is need to upgrade most of amateur boxing officials and coaches. “I think as an office, we would like to qualify for Paris 2024, and then maybe go to the next round; we may get to the quarterfinals or semis. To have a fully functional office with secretariat, to have more trained officials, host major competitions like AFBC championships world championships.”