Fighting for survival
Local boxing promoter Risto Ashikoto is prepared to go out of his way to make sure that some of his young boxers' dreams of reaching the top do not fade.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
WINDHOEK
Local boxing promoter and academy co-owner Risto 'Pac-Man' Ashikoto has his sights set on raising amateur boxing to greater heights.
The promoter for Power-Power Development and Boxing Academy says he has to act as guardian angel for many of the young boxers in their academy.
Many of the boxers are aspiring to become to professionals but it requires hard work and funds.
“I will try by all means to get funds, so that I can uplift amateur boxing in the country during this year.
“I am just not sure if amateur boxing has been at its best for the past two or three years like it used to be.
“That is why I want to embark on a journey of getting our club and boxers to another level,” Ashikoto said.
Ashikoto and his partner, Paulus Ambunda, started the academy in 2016 but it only became active in 2019.
The aim of the academy is to restore the lost dreams of some of the young boxers who are unable to access training facilities.
Ashikoto has struggled to get a sponsor for his academy but refuses to give up on his young boxers.
“I will not give up on these boys even when the odds seem to be against us.
“Last year was very difficult and we went on a break because of the pandemic but this year we are going to defy the odds.
“The boys will return to training and as a club, we are going to make sure that amateur boxing returns to greatness like in the era of Ambrosius Kandjii and Joe Kaperu,” he added.
WINDHOEK
Local boxing promoter and academy co-owner Risto 'Pac-Man' Ashikoto has his sights set on raising amateur boxing to greater heights.
The promoter for Power-Power Development and Boxing Academy says he has to act as guardian angel for many of the young boxers in their academy.
Many of the boxers are aspiring to become to professionals but it requires hard work and funds.
“I will try by all means to get funds, so that I can uplift amateur boxing in the country during this year.
“I am just not sure if amateur boxing has been at its best for the past two or three years like it used to be.
“That is why I want to embark on a journey of getting our club and boxers to another level,” Ashikoto said.
Ashikoto and his partner, Paulus Ambunda, started the academy in 2016 but it only became active in 2019.
The aim of the academy is to restore the lost dreams of some of the young boxers who are unable to access training facilities.
Ashikoto has struggled to get a sponsor for his academy but refuses to give up on his young boxers.
“I will not give up on these boys even when the odds seem to be against us.
“Last year was very difficult and we went on a break because of the pandemic but this year we are going to defy the odds.
“The boys will return to training and as a club, we are going to make sure that amateur boxing returns to greatness like in the era of Ambrosius Kandjii and Joe Kaperu,” he added.
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