Kilimanjaro rescued
The boxing club has received a well-timed boost that will benefit many young fighters in the north.
The latest beneficiary of MTC's generous sponsorships, Joseph Benhard's Kilimanjaro Boxing Club, has for years suffered financial setbacks, with him having to knock door-to-door to keep it afloat.
Benhard, a former boxer, yesterday received a sponsorship of N$1.2 million from MTC, which will be divided over three years.
A visibly ecstatic Benhard said the sponsorship is a dream come true, because when he hanged up his gloves, he decided to keep kids off the streets through boxing.
“I had to go door-to-door just to ask for sponsorships from individuals to host an event; it hasn't been easy. I get calls at night from aspiring boxers who just want to fight. Everyone in the north really likes boxing and with this sponsorship we can now push more boxers to the fore.
“Kilimanjaro will continue to do as much as possible to lift MTC's flag high in the north, as they have once again shown and fulfilled their corporate social responsibility,” added Benhard.
MTC manager of corporate affairs, John Ekongo, said when their first sponsorship receiver, the MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Academy, sought assistance 19 years ago, NamPower gave Tobias N$1 000 to host a boxing event.
But since then many things has changed.
Ekongo said they are passionate about grassroots development, hence they are putting a beacon where it is needed most, so that young men can continue doing what they do best.
He said boxing has gone through major leaps and bounds and Namibia has produced six world champions out of just over two million, which is remarkable.
“Because of this we have decided to take it a notch up and invest more,” he said.
Ekongo added the other reason for the sponsorship was because many people complained about the fact that boxing events only happen in the city; hence only stables based in Windhoek are benefiting from MTC's coffers.
The sponsorship will enable Kilimanjaro to host a boxing tournament in Ondangwa at Ekamuti Lodge this weekend, which they have postponed three times due to financial constraints.
Tickets are only available at the door and cost N$50 for general attendees and N$150 for VIPs.
There will be 11 fights on the night:
Bantamweight (four rounds) - Andreas Mwenyo vs Theophelus Nashilongo.
Super bantamweight (four rounds) - Sam Mathew vs Joseph Abel.
Super bantamweight (four rounds) - Fillipus Shannika vs Paulus Aileka.
Junior welterweight (four rounds) - Immanuel Jason vs Usko Rehebiam.
Super bantamweight - Fillipus Nghitumbwa vs Julius Sheetheni.
Super bantamweight - Matheus 'The Beast' Heita vs Sacky Sheehama.
Junior middleweight (four rounds) - Nghihangwa Joseph vs Abed Shikongo.
Junior middleweight - Edison Nghipondoka vs Nuuyoma December.
Featherweight (six rounds) - Nathaniel Shimanda vs Onesmus Nekundi.
Junior welterweight national title (10 rounds) - Michael Berhard Jr vs Ndangi Shapwa.
Junior middleweight national title (10 rounds) - Charles Shinima vs Steven Shimbonde.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Benhard, a former boxer, yesterday received a sponsorship of N$1.2 million from MTC, which will be divided over three years.
A visibly ecstatic Benhard said the sponsorship is a dream come true, because when he hanged up his gloves, he decided to keep kids off the streets through boxing.
“I had to go door-to-door just to ask for sponsorships from individuals to host an event; it hasn't been easy. I get calls at night from aspiring boxers who just want to fight. Everyone in the north really likes boxing and with this sponsorship we can now push more boxers to the fore.
“Kilimanjaro will continue to do as much as possible to lift MTC's flag high in the north, as they have once again shown and fulfilled their corporate social responsibility,” added Benhard.
MTC manager of corporate affairs, John Ekongo, said when their first sponsorship receiver, the MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Academy, sought assistance 19 years ago, NamPower gave Tobias N$1 000 to host a boxing event.
But since then many things has changed.
Ekongo said they are passionate about grassroots development, hence they are putting a beacon where it is needed most, so that young men can continue doing what they do best.
He said boxing has gone through major leaps and bounds and Namibia has produced six world champions out of just over two million, which is remarkable.
“Because of this we have decided to take it a notch up and invest more,” he said.
Ekongo added the other reason for the sponsorship was because many people complained about the fact that boxing events only happen in the city; hence only stables based in Windhoek are benefiting from MTC's coffers.
The sponsorship will enable Kilimanjaro to host a boxing tournament in Ondangwa at Ekamuti Lodge this weekend, which they have postponed three times due to financial constraints.
Tickets are only available at the door and cost N$50 for general attendees and N$150 for VIPs.
There will be 11 fights on the night:
Bantamweight (four rounds) - Andreas Mwenyo vs Theophelus Nashilongo.
Super bantamweight (four rounds) - Sam Mathew vs Joseph Abel.
Super bantamweight (four rounds) - Fillipus Shannika vs Paulus Aileka.
Junior welterweight (four rounds) - Immanuel Jason vs Usko Rehebiam.
Super bantamweight - Fillipus Nghitumbwa vs Julius Sheetheni.
Super bantamweight - Matheus 'The Beast' Heita vs Sacky Sheehama.
Junior middleweight (four rounds) - Nghihangwa Joseph vs Abed Shikongo.
Junior middleweight - Edison Nghipondoka vs Nuuyoma December.
Featherweight (six rounds) - Nathaniel Shimanda vs Onesmus Nekundi.
Junior welterweight national title (10 rounds) - Michael Berhard Jr vs Ndangi Shapwa.
Junior middleweight national title (10 rounds) - Charles Shinima vs Steven Shimbonde.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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