The MTC Kilimanjaro Boxing Club (KBC) will host its second northern boxing tournament for the year at the Oshakati Independence Stadium on Friday and Saturday.

The annual boxing championship is expected to attract over 60 boxers from the Oshana, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshikoto and Kunene regions.

In an interview with Nampa, KBC chairperson Joseph Bernhard said the boxing championship will be used as preparation for the MTC Youth Games scheduled for December in the Khomas Region.

“Ten clubs have so far confirmed their participation. Our aim is to develop boxers, as well as help them qualify for future boxing tournaments and prepare them accordingly for when they turn professional,” he said.

Bernhard added that his stable’s goal is to produce world champions.

“My dream is to develop boxers who are younger than 17 years old and promote them to the paid ranks. The funding we have been receiving from MTC has boosted our efforts to produce some of the best boxers in the country,” Bernhard said.

According to Bernhard the boxing bonanza will identify the best boxers from the five regions, who will go on to represent their regions at the MTC Youth Games in December and to compete in professional boxing events scheduled for March next year.

“Through development programmes such as this we can keep the youth away from alcohol and drug abuse because they will be committed, focused and disciplined. It is against this background that the club is determined to consistently stage boxing tournaments as a way of helping boxers develop into world champions,” said Bernhard.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency