Boxing award recipients for trainer and manager of the year have appealed to local businesses to support gymnasiums in the region.
The plea was made by Mla Tengimfene, who won the Manager of the Year award, as well as Trainer of the Year recipient Mzamo Njekanye.
Both beat seasoned competitors from other provinces at the awards ceremony in Durban at the weekend.
Njekanye even outsmarted favourite Colin Nathan, who boasts a number of top boxers in his state-of-the-art HotBox gymnasium in Johannesburg.
Despite Njekanye’s gymnasium being housed in an old dilapidated building, with broken windows and doors, in Gompo township, he has managed to defy the odds by winning the much sought-after award.
The unassuming friendly trainer has managed to unearth boxing talent in the sprawling shack littered and crime-infested Duncan Village with Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni, who was voted as the best boxer at the same awards being his first well-known boxer.
Ndongeni later left him to join Nathan in Johannesburg.
Njekanye picked up the pieces after Ndongeni’s departure and unearthed another boxing gem in Azinga Fuzile, who won the Prospect of the Year at the awards function.
Tengimfene, however, is using an old building of a fuel station in NU1, Mdantsane to mould his boxers into world champions.
These include Zolani Tete, who also walked away with the Knockout of the Year award in Durban.
Despite proving their mettle under trying conditions, the duo are still battling to convince businesses to invest in their gymnasiums.
“This is disheartening to say the least,” both echoed.
“Look what we are able to do despite coming from impoverished backgrounds. Our gymnasiums resemble a pigsty so much that we send kids away when it rains.”
This the Daily Dispatch witnessed first-hand when visiting Njekanye’s gymnasium. Furthermore, the gym is littered with broken desks serving as a makeshift ring.
Only one punchbag dangles in the creaking roof while rain and wind ooze through the broken windows.
However, kids train there with gusto, oblivious to the appalling conditions.
Njekanye treats all the members of the gym like his own children, using his bakkie to ferry them home after each training session.
He also makes sure they do not abandon their schooling, as shown with Ndongeni passing his Grade 12, while Fuzile is also doing matric at Kusile Comprehensive School.
Njekanye was thrilled after winning the award, saying his hard work behind the scenes had finally been recognised.
“In boxing there are those that do all the spadework but get no recognition because boxers leave for better places once they make it big,” he said.
“I am glad that BSA is finally recognising the work we underprivileged trainers do.”
Their gymnasiums also boast a plethora of amateur boxers as it bids to stop youngsters being lured into unsavoury activities.
Despite their sterling work, which can best be described as community service, Njekanye, Tengimfene and others are battling to get help from businesspeople.
Star ring men call for improved gyms
The plea was made by Mla Tengimfene, who won the Manager of the Year award, as well as Trainer of the Year recipient Mzamo Njekanye.
Both beat seasoned competitors from other provinces at the awards ceremony in Durban at the weekend.
Njekanye even outsmarted favourite Colin Nathan, who boasts a number of top boxers in his state-of-the-art HotBox gymnasium in Johannesburg.
Despite Njekanye’s gymnasium being housed in an old dilapidated building, with broken windows and doors, in Gompo township, he has managed to defy the odds by winning the much sought-after award.
The unassuming friendly trainer has managed to unearth boxing talent in the sprawling shack littered and crime-infested Duncan Village with Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni, who was voted as the best boxer at the same awards being his first well-known boxer.
Ndongeni later left him to join Nathan in Johannesburg.
Njekanye picked up the pieces after Ndongeni’s departure and unearthed another boxing gem in Azinga Fuzile, who won the Prospect of the Year at the awards function.
Tengimfene, however, is using an old building of a fuel station in NU1, Mdantsane to mould his boxers into world champions.
These include Zolani Tete, who also walked away with the Knockout of the Year award in Durban.
Despite proving their mettle under trying conditions, the duo are still battling to convince businesses to invest in their gymnasiums.
“This is disheartening to say the least,” both echoed.
“Look what we are able to do despite coming from impoverished backgrounds. Our gymnasiums resemble a pigsty so much that we send kids away when it rains.”
This the Daily Dispatch witnessed first-hand when visiting Njekanye’s gymnasium. Furthermore, the gym is littered with broken desks serving as a makeshift ring.
Only one punchbag dangles in the creaking roof while rain and wind ooze through the broken windows.
However, kids train there with gusto, oblivious to the appalling conditions.
Njekanye treats all the members of the gym like his own children, using his bakkie to ferry them home after each training session.
He also makes sure they do not abandon their schooling, as shown with Ndongeni passing his Grade 12, while Fuzile is also doing matric at Kusile Comprehensive School.
Njekanye was thrilled after winning the award, saying his hard work behind the scenes had finally been recognised.
“In boxing there are those that do all the spadework but get no recognition because boxers leave for better places once they make it big,” he said.
“I am glad that BSA is finally recognising the work we underprivileged trainers do.”
Their gymnasiums also boast a plethora of amateur boxers as it bids to stop youngsters being lured into unsavoury activities.
Despite their sterling work, which can best be described as community service, Njekanye, Tengimfene and others are battling to get help from businesspeople.
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