LIMPOPO – The local boxing club is buzzing with excitement as preparations intensify for an upcoming fight scheduled to take place in Polokwane on August 9.

The event will showcase the skills of young talents as part of boxing development, focusing specifically on training both girls and boys u/13 in the sport of boxing.

The u/13 programme was launched just last month by coach Shirhule Bunghele, a woman who leads Kutsakeni Boxing Club in Giyani.

Besides the young fighters, the club also trains boxers of various ages from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays, training sessions are exclusively reserved for younger boxers, creating a focused and supportive environment for them to hone their skills and nurture their passion for boxing.

Currently, the club is holding intensive training sessions and a camp to ensure the youngsters are fully prepared for their matches. The fight will be held at a boxing club near the Polokwane airport, marking an important milestone for many of these young athletes who will be stepping into the ring for the very first time.

However, despite all the activities that come with owning a boxing club, Kutsakeni Boxing Club has no sponsorship, and all activities are funded by the parents of the children themselves.

Bunghele, who leads the training, expressed some of the challenges the club faces, saying the club needs sponsorship.

“We need a sponsor to help us cover transport and medical costs,” she explained. “Getting medical assistance at the hospital is challenging; without special access, we have to wait in line like everyone else when our boxers need treatment.”

Speaking about the upcoming fight, one of the young boxers set to compete in August, Evidence Ngobeni, shared his thoughts. When asked whether he felt afraid, he admitted to feeling nervous but said he was not dwelling on it, as his focus is on winning.

“As the fight approaches, I won’t lie; my heart races a little, but that only pushes me to train even harder because I don’t want to lose the fight,” he said confidently. “I enjoy a challenge, and I don’t see myself losing my first fight.”

Meanwhile, their coach is hopeful that with the right support, these young boxers will not only perform well in the ring but also continue to grow the sport at the grassroots level.

“All we need is support from the community and local businesses,” she said.