Retired with no regrets
Former Commonwealth welterweight champion Paulus ‘Ali’ Nuumbembe is proud of the way he ended his boxing career and has no regrets. Nuumbembe recently told Namibian Sun that he has no qualms about how his professional boxing career ended, despite not reaching his goal of winning a world title. “I am happy with my boxing career and feel that I have done my part as a Namibian boxer as I have managed to win a Commonwealth title. I am a proud retired boxer,” he said.
He further added that he is also content with the way his boxing career has been and how it ended. “I am a happy retired boxer and have no plans of coming back.” Since his retirement in 2010, Nuumbembe has been involved with the Ministry of Defence’s sporting club. He now plans to open his own training facility, but is aware of the challenges he faces. “I want to open my own academy but I am struggling to get a place. If I manage to get one then surely I will set it up, but for now I am focusing on NDF sport and amateur boxing,” he said. He noted that at times he is involved with amateur boxers, stating that his passion is to see the upcoming boxers actively involved in various competitions as they are at the moment struggling.
“Amateur boxing is really struggling but during our days we always had competitions but nowadays it is slowing down. We are in the fifth month but yet there has not been a competition done for amateurs in Namibia and it is a pity that this is happening,” he said, adding that they need support to host tournaments that will cover all 14 regions.
Olympic Games
With only two months before the Olympic Games, Namibia’s boxing fraternity will be represented by Jonas Junias and Mathias Hamunyela at this year’s Rio Olympic Games in August. He said since independence Namibia has been represented at the Olympics but it has always been one or two boxers. According to Nuumbembe, more investment is needed for boxing to continue flourishing in the country. “I think it is high time that we pick up and that will only happen when amateur boxing in the country is doing well. At the moment and at the level where they are they are not getting enough competitions.” Nuumbembe stated that it is high time that Namibia looks into sending more boxers to the Olympics then just one or two boxers every time.
“We really need to look into sending a full team to tournaments locally and internationally and don’t just look at two boxers for every Olympic Games. At least after the Olympics, you start planning for the next games. So it is important to develop young boxers that have the potential to qualify,” he advised. He added that qualifying for the Olympic Games should be every amateur boxer’s aim on top of winning an international title.
“To date we are yet to get a medal from the Olympics and whoever is going to get that will be a hero so that is what amateurs have to look up to,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nuumbembe is of the opinion that boxing in Namibia is growing at a fast pace, which is an indication that there is a lot of talented boxers in the country.
“If we look back in the history, especially professional boxing one will notice that the game is growing and can even be seen from the boxing stables we now have in the country,” he said.
KAINO NGHITONGO
He further added that he is also content with the way his boxing career has been and how it ended. “I am a happy retired boxer and have no plans of coming back.” Since his retirement in 2010, Nuumbembe has been involved with the Ministry of Defence’s sporting club. He now plans to open his own training facility, but is aware of the challenges he faces. “I want to open my own academy but I am struggling to get a place. If I manage to get one then surely I will set it up, but for now I am focusing on NDF sport and amateur boxing,” he said. He noted that at times he is involved with amateur boxers, stating that his passion is to see the upcoming boxers actively involved in various competitions as they are at the moment struggling.
“Amateur boxing is really struggling but during our days we always had competitions but nowadays it is slowing down. We are in the fifth month but yet there has not been a competition done for amateurs in Namibia and it is a pity that this is happening,” he said, adding that they need support to host tournaments that will cover all 14 regions.
Olympic Games
With only two months before the Olympic Games, Namibia’s boxing fraternity will be represented by Jonas Junias and Mathias Hamunyela at this year’s Rio Olympic Games in August. He said since independence Namibia has been represented at the Olympics but it has always been one or two boxers. According to Nuumbembe, more investment is needed for boxing to continue flourishing in the country. “I think it is high time that we pick up and that will only happen when amateur boxing in the country is doing well. At the moment and at the level where they are they are not getting enough competitions.” Nuumbembe stated that it is high time that Namibia looks into sending more boxers to the Olympics then just one or two boxers every time.
“We really need to look into sending a full team to tournaments locally and internationally and don’t just look at two boxers for every Olympic Games. At least after the Olympics, you start planning for the next games. So it is important to develop young boxers that have the potential to qualify,” he advised. He added that qualifying for the Olympic Games should be every amateur boxer’s aim on top of winning an international title.
“To date we are yet to get a medal from the Olympics and whoever is going to get that will be a hero so that is what amateurs have to look up to,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nuumbembe is of the opinion that boxing in Namibia is growing at a fast pace, which is an indication that there is a lot of talented boxers in the country.
“If we look back in the history, especially professional boxing one will notice that the game is growing and can even be seen from the boxing stables we now have in the country,” he said.
KAINO NGHITONGO
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