In search of champions
The 21 Brigade boxing club is pleading for assistance from corporate Namibia and individuals, in order for it to maintain its gym and produce boxing champions.
Formed in 2006 by a group of Namibian Defence Force (NDF) officials, the boxing club is currently up-and-running after relocating from Suiderhof to UN Plaza in Soweto, Katutura.
Co-founder and trainer Risto 'Pac Man' Ashikoto believes the gym has what it takes to produce world boxing champions. He, however, emphasised the importance of securing sponsorships in order for the boxing club to reach greater heights.
“This was an initiative from four members of the army Paulus Ambunda, Eddy Mandongo, Sam Amuthoko and me to come up with the boxing club.
“We started at an old abandoned army building in Suiderhof but moved on to UN Plaza, Soweto for training.
“We plead for anyone or companies to come to our rescue and sponsor us with funds and equipment that will help us strengthen our operations,” Ashikoto said.
The boxing club currently has over 50 amateur boxers and 12 professional fighters in its stable.
National boxing champion Charles Shinima is also part of the boxing stable.
Former African champion Vikapita Meroro also recently joined the club in search of greener pastures.
Meroro and two young boxers are set to fight for the boxing club in the weeks to come.
Ashikoto could, however, not provide further details about the fights, saying this would be premature.
“Well, two of our amateurs are preparing to fight in India but we are still in the final stages of the negotiations.
“Meroro is also slated to fight but we still have to confirm all the details before we can reveal everything to the public,” Ashikoto added.
The boxing club lauded the NDF for providing them with punching bags and the City of Windhoek for granting them permission to use the premises since last year.
“We have been trying so hard to keep the boxing club running and it has not been an easy thing.
“Our determination to keep young children from the streets and to help boxers pursue their dreams has kept us going, despite the challenges we continue to face.
“We are going to produce boxing champions because that is our mandate,” Ashikoto added.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
Formed in 2006 by a group of Namibian Defence Force (NDF) officials, the boxing club is currently up-and-running after relocating from Suiderhof to UN Plaza in Soweto, Katutura.
Co-founder and trainer Risto 'Pac Man' Ashikoto believes the gym has what it takes to produce world boxing champions. He, however, emphasised the importance of securing sponsorships in order for the boxing club to reach greater heights.
“This was an initiative from four members of the army Paulus Ambunda, Eddy Mandongo, Sam Amuthoko and me to come up with the boxing club.
“We started at an old abandoned army building in Suiderhof but moved on to UN Plaza, Soweto for training.
“We plead for anyone or companies to come to our rescue and sponsor us with funds and equipment that will help us strengthen our operations,” Ashikoto said.
The boxing club currently has over 50 amateur boxers and 12 professional fighters in its stable.
National boxing champion Charles Shinima is also part of the boxing stable.
Former African champion Vikapita Meroro also recently joined the club in search of greener pastures.
Meroro and two young boxers are set to fight for the boxing club in the weeks to come.
Ashikoto could, however, not provide further details about the fights, saying this would be premature.
“Well, two of our amateurs are preparing to fight in India but we are still in the final stages of the negotiations.
“Meroro is also slated to fight but we still have to confirm all the details before we can reveal everything to the public,” Ashikoto added.
The boxing club lauded the NDF for providing them with punching bags and the City of Windhoek for granting them permission to use the premises since last year.
“We have been trying so hard to keep the boxing club running and it has not been an easy thing.
“Our determination to keep young children from the streets and to help boxers pursue their dreams has kept us going, despite the challenges we continue to face.
“We are going to produce boxing champions because that is our mandate,” Ashikoto added.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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Namibian Sun
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