Ashikoto pleads for help

LIMBA MUPETAMI WINDHOEK Local boxing trainer from the Power-Power Development and Boxing Academy in Windhoek Risto Ashikoto said his boxers have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Ashikoto is calling for aid from the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (NPBWCB). Despite the NPBWCB, whose primary aim is to sanction boxing fights, having been financially troubled for years, Ashikoto said they have no other institution to turn to in this difficult time, with the lockdown being extended till 4 May. 'As a gym manager, my heart is in pain when I receive calls from my boxers telling me how difficult life is without fights. Boxing is their only means of income. Two of my boxers were supposed to fight on 11 April in an event organised by MTC Salute Promotion. The money they would have made there would have helped greatly, but after hearing that all events are cancelled, they broke [down] in tears,” Ashikoto said. He added that last week, a well-known boxer from the Erongo Region complained about being unable to head home as he was in Windhoek to prepare for a fight, which was supposed to take place on 28 February.''This guy is stuck in the city with no food and no suitable accommodation because of the lockdown,' Ashikoto, who has 14 boxers signed to his gym, stressed 'I have two known boxers, Martin Mukungu and Rubben Kandimba, as well as a female, six amateur senior and five junior boxers. 'I'm appealing to the board, or any willing Samaritan, to please come to our aid with necessary food and basic commodities, because if there are no fights, these boxers have nothing to fall back on,' he said. Hailing from Opuwo, Mukungu also came to Windhoek to gear up for a since-cancelled fight. “Now I'm just crashing with a friend and we are struggling to make ends meet. I really depend on boxing to survive,' he said. Helping hand Recently, African Stars Football Club, with the help of Tuyera Financial Services, delivered food parcels to its players. Tura Magic followed suit and also donated food parcels to their players.

Ashikoto pleads for help

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-01

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Ashikoto pleads for help

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-01

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