Mams hosts boxing tournament to fight crime, substance abuse
The aim of hosting the tournament was to revive boxing in Mamelodi and surrounding areas and to raise awareness on drug abuse and to keep children busy and away from the streets.
Mabetha Boxing Club in Mamelodi hosted a boxing tournament in a bid to fight crime, substance abuse and keep children busy away from the streets.
The tournament, which consisted of 30 competitive bouts of junior, youth and elite male and one female boxers, was held at Bavumile Pub & Grill on Saturday.
Santy Mathole of the club said the aim was to revive boxing in Mamelodi and surrounding areas and raise the awareness of drug abuse and keep children busy and away from the streets.
He said the tournament was a success as officials and boxers came from as far as Mpumalanga, North West, and in Gauteng, Ekurhuleni and Pretoria to gather in Mamelodi East section 16 for the friendly tournament.
“More than 70 boxers from seven boxing clubs stepped on the scale to participate in the tournament,” he said.
The tournament was for everyone from the age of seven years upwards, and all participants walked away with medals and certificates.
“The much-anticipated boxing friendly tournament saw more than 120 people attending the tournament ahead of the Rugby World Cup match between the Springboks and New Zealand,” said Mathole.
“The tournament was sponsored by Bavumile Pub & Grill, which provided the medals, trophies, food for officials and boxers, ablutions, change- and weigh-in room, benches, chairs and tables, sound system, etc,” said Mathole.
He said the first boxing tournament in the area as was held in 2019.
A local MC weaved the tournament together incredibly well from start to finish, and reminded the community that it needed to play its role to bring an end to crime and substance abuse.
Mathole said they also wanted to encourage children from Mamelodi to participate in different sporting codes.
“We have a lot of talent in Mamelodi and some of these talents include boxing. They are not aware that we have our very own boxing club in Mamelodi,” he said.
“The drive is to get as many kids off the streets and allow them access to physical training. We want to reduce the use of drugs and eliminate crime among the youth.”
The tournament also consisted of coaching, guiding and helping young boxers with their fight preparation.
Mathole said he was happy with the turn-out and the involvement of parents in supporting their children.
“This tournament will also sharpen the appetite of boxing fans and will go a long way in reviving the sport in Mamelodi,” he said.
“It is also an opportunity for amateur boxers to gauge their skills before getting the chance to compete in the upcoming boxing competitions.”
The club management team is looking to host another tournament to close off the year with the help of sponsors. Dates will be announced soon, so stay tuned.
The club also desperately needs sponsors for training equipment.
For more information contact Santy Mathole on 071 179 5891.
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