Boxing has frequently acted as a barometer of Botswana’s athletic prowess and determination. The pugilistic arena has been a source of pride and a testing ground for resilience. However, recent setbacks on the international stage have raised questions about the trajectory of the country’s boxing ambitions.
At the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco, Botswana’s boxing contingent commanded attention, showcasing remarkable skill and determination. Keamogetse Kenosi and Mohamed Otukile secured two gold medals, while Aratwa Kasemang contributed a silver to the tally. This achievement marked a moment of triumph, symbolizing the nation’s growing prominence in the international boxing scene.
Fast forward to the 2024 edition of the African Games, held in Accra, Ghana last month, the narrative took a somber turn. Botswana’s boxing team, previously celebrated as a rising force, experienced a setback, securing only one medal—a bronze, earned by Kenosi. The decline was evident, with Otukile, a gold medalist in 2019, facing an early exit in his first bout.
Before Accra, Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) sent a team to the African boxing qualification (Olympics) event held in Senegal, in September 2023 on which all the boxers who were sent including the trusted Kenosi and Otukile failed to qualify. The duo, having previously represented Botswana in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, carried the nation’s aspirations on their shoulders.
The downturn in fortunes has sparked concerns about the state of Botswana’s boxing landscape. Does this signal a decline in the country’s boxing prowess? Taolo Tlouetsile, Secretary General of the BoBA, attributes the recent disappointments to inadequate preparations.
“In both instances (Ghana and Senegal), our national team pugilists had less than two weeks of training in Zambia and lacked crucial international match practices,” Tlouetsile lamented.
The root cause, he explains, stems from financial constraints plaguing BoBA, echoing similar challenges faced by Botswana’s sports authorities. Limited funds have hampered efforts to conduct robust training camps and participation in international competitions.
“This is all due to lack of funds. We have limited resources, and unfortunately, our superiors in the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) and Botswana National Olympic Committee face similar challenges,” Tlouetsile elaborated.
Despite the setbacks, Tlouetsile remains resolute. He says BoBA is actively seeking sponsors to bolster training programs and ensure competitive readiness for future endeavors. He further told The Business Weekly Sports that the association refuses to succumb to despair, driven by a fervent desire to represent the nation with distinction in international competitions
In a bid to redeem Botswana’s boxing fortunes, Tlouetsile disclosed plans to send a team to the 2nd World Olympics Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand. According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) website, between 45 and 51 athletes (20-23 women and 25-28 men) will qualify through the 2nd World Qualification Tournament. The competition presents a crucial opportunity for Botswana’s pugilists to secure coveted berths for the upcoming Olympics to be held in Paris, France later this year.
Before the Bangkok showdown, the Botswana team will test their mettle at the Nelson Mandela Cup in South Africa from the 15th to the 23rd of April. Tlouetsile believes the competition will be crucial in preparing the local team for the Bangkok fights
However, the road to Olympic qualification is fraught with challenges. The IOC reveals stringent criteria, with only a limited number of slots available for boxing at Paris 2024. With 248 boxers (about 40 fewer overall than those in Tokyo 2020) slated to compete, the stakes are undeniably high.
Meanwhile, Boxing was introduced to the ancient Olympic Games in 688 BC, where boxers used soft leather thongs to bind their hands and forearms for protection. Boxing made its debut at the modern Olympic Games in 1904 and has been contested at every Summer Games since—save for the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, as Swedish law banned the sport at the time. Women’s boxing was first introduced to the Olympic programme at London 2012.
