SEBOKENG.- The Saul Tsotetsi Sports Centre in Zone 14 was filled with excitement over the weekend as Sedibeng hosted the Provincial Boxing Tournament.

The four-day event, which ran from Thursday to Sunday, saw talented boys and girls battle it out in the ring for a chance to compete in the National Boxing Championships.

The Sedibeng Boxing Association organised the tournament alongside the Emfuleni Local Municipality Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation.

Its main goal was to pick the best young boxers to represent Gauteng on the national stage, and the final squad was announced as soon as the tournament finished. It was talent galore with both boys and girls exchanging punches in the ring to book their place in the National Boxing Championships.

The team that will represent Gauteng in the national championships was announced immediately after the tournament. Thanduxulo Madikizela from ELM Department of Sports and Recreation hailed this tournament a huge success. He told Sedibeng Ster Sport that the standard of boxing was incredibly high, with participants from different regions giving a fantastic display of skill and showcasing the bright future of the sport.

The action began each day with the girls’ matches before the boys took to the ring.However, Madikizela expressed disappointment regarding the low turnout from the local community. He explained that a lack of parental support is a growing worry, not just for boxing but across other sports too. While thanking all the stakeholders who made the event possible, he urged parents to turn up in larger numbers in the future.

“These children need everyone’s support apart from their coaches and managers, and I hope next time we will see parents coming in numbers,” said Madikizela.