Boxers not happy ahead of Olympic task
Smit says they have done enough
The team's head coach has allegedly been told to shoulder some personal responsibility in fulfilling the boxers' needs.
The National Olympic Committee (NNOC) secretary-general, Joan Smit, refutes claims that they are not supporting amateur boxers ahead of their upcoming Olympic qualifiers.
Smit said they spend an undisclosed amount of money on accommodation, flight tickets, meals and even included a medical doctor to accompany the boxers as they ready to compete in the 2024 World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
She said they are also paying costs for the team to train at the Sousa MMA Studio in Windhoek. However, several boxers stated that the facility has not been paid.
Smit added that it was not the NNOC’s responsibility to prepare the boxers physically.
“The responsibility to stay and be fit for competition is solely theirs. Our mandate is to help them qualify. Where is the responsibility of the Namibia Boxing Federation? These boxers are unfit, based on the training videos I saw,” she said.
When Namibian Sun asked what it will help to send unfit boxers who have not been in training camp for long to Italy to compete in the Olympic qualifier, Smit was in agreement.
FEEL UNSUPPORTED
Her remarks come after Titus Joseph, the coach and manager of the group, expressed his dismay over the lack of support they’ve encountered.
In an interview with Namibian Sun, Joseph disclosed that they’ve received no assistance from entities such as the NNOC, Ministry of Sports, or the Namibia Sports Commission in terms of their preparation for the upcoming qualifiers.
Joseph recounted his efforts to secure funding for an early training camp, even exploring the possibility of arranging it in Cuba, only to be met with the response that there were insufficient funds available.
Consequently, the boxers find themselves without a dedicated training camp, prompting Joseph to personally step in and provide accommodation for those without shelter in Windhoek, covering the expenses out of his own pocket.
Joseph, who Smit said is just a volunteer who can at any moment withdraw if he pleases, has furthermore taken on the responsibility of transporting the boxers to and from training sessions using his own vehicle and has been financing their meals with his own funds.
When Joseph sought guidance from Smit, he was apparently told to view these sacrifices as part of his role as coach and manager – a response that left him feeling unsupported.
Reflecting on similar struggles faced during last year’s African championship in Dakar, Senegal, where none of the boxers managed to qualify due to similarly inadequate support, Joseph expressed his frustration with the recurring pattern.
“They send us to Senegal with no tracksuits or money,” he recalled.
Despite the challenges, Joseph resolved to persevere and continue training the athletes, driven by his dedication to their success.
QUESTION MARKS
Currently, only four boxers are training in Windhoek, with others like Junias Jonas and Try-Again Ndevelo continuing their preparations in Swakopmund under the guidance of their respective trainers. The team announced to represent Namibia in Italy includes Trofimus Johannes, Ndevelo, Elifas Shailemo, Jonas, Petrus Nghishongwa and Gerhard Ipinge.
Issues around Junias has raised eyebrows, with the veteran being described as inconsistent at training since his inclusion in the team. Smit explained that the Local Organising Committee and the NNOC-CGA agreed that Jonas be included in the light welterweight or welterweight division, as the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist should be given a last chance as he has the potential to qualify and end on the podium at the Paris Olympic Games.
However, there are now two boxers competing for the same division.
The team’s second coach is Albertus Tsamaseb, with David Weber as the medical doctor.
The team will depart for Italy on 28 February, with their return scheduled for 15 March.
Smit said they spend an undisclosed amount of money on accommodation, flight tickets, meals and even included a medical doctor to accompany the boxers as they ready to compete in the 2024 World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
She said they are also paying costs for the team to train at the Sousa MMA Studio in Windhoek. However, several boxers stated that the facility has not been paid.
Smit added that it was not the NNOC’s responsibility to prepare the boxers physically.
“The responsibility to stay and be fit for competition is solely theirs. Our mandate is to help them qualify. Where is the responsibility of the Namibia Boxing Federation? These boxers are unfit, based on the training videos I saw,” she said.
When Namibian Sun asked what it will help to send unfit boxers who have not been in training camp for long to Italy to compete in the Olympic qualifier, Smit was in agreement.
FEEL UNSUPPORTED
Her remarks come after Titus Joseph, the coach and manager of the group, expressed his dismay over the lack of support they’ve encountered.
In an interview with Namibian Sun, Joseph disclosed that they’ve received no assistance from entities such as the NNOC, Ministry of Sports, or the Namibia Sports Commission in terms of their preparation for the upcoming qualifiers.
Joseph recounted his efforts to secure funding for an early training camp, even exploring the possibility of arranging it in Cuba, only to be met with the response that there were insufficient funds available.
Consequently, the boxers find themselves without a dedicated training camp, prompting Joseph to personally step in and provide accommodation for those without shelter in Windhoek, covering the expenses out of his own pocket.
Joseph, who Smit said is just a volunteer who can at any moment withdraw if he pleases, has furthermore taken on the responsibility of transporting the boxers to and from training sessions using his own vehicle and has been financing their meals with his own funds.
When Joseph sought guidance from Smit, he was apparently told to view these sacrifices as part of his role as coach and manager – a response that left him feeling unsupported.
Reflecting on similar struggles faced during last year’s African championship in Dakar, Senegal, where none of the boxers managed to qualify due to similarly inadequate support, Joseph expressed his frustration with the recurring pattern.
“They send us to Senegal with no tracksuits or money,” he recalled.
Despite the challenges, Joseph resolved to persevere and continue training the athletes, driven by his dedication to their success.
QUESTION MARKS
Currently, only four boxers are training in Windhoek, with others like Junias Jonas and Try-Again Ndevelo continuing their preparations in Swakopmund under the guidance of their respective trainers. The team announced to represent Namibia in Italy includes Trofimus Johannes, Ndevelo, Elifas Shailemo, Jonas, Petrus Nghishongwa and Gerhard Ipinge.
Issues around Junias has raised eyebrows, with the veteran being described as inconsistent at training since his inclusion in the team. Smit explained that the Local Organising Committee and the NNOC-CGA agreed that Jonas be included in the light welterweight or welterweight division, as the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist should be given a last chance as he has the potential to qualify and end on the podium at the Paris Olympic Games.
However, there are now two boxers competing for the same division.
The team’s second coach is Albertus Tsamaseb, with David Weber as the medical doctor.
The team will depart for Italy on 28 February, with their return scheduled for 15 March.
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