▫️ Boxing Federation of Tanzania top officials meet with Sports Minister Ndumbaro in Dodoma
Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT) have embarked on ambitious plans of giving an identity to the country’s national team and boxing in general.
BFT’s President Lukelo Willilo told AFBC Communications major plans are in the pipeline to hire a coach from Cuba to handle the national team as well train local coaches with an aim of adopting the Cuban style of boxing.
Willilo and BFT Secretary -General Makore Mashaga met with the Minister of Culture, Arts and Sports Dr Damas Ndumbaro in his office on Tuesday (September 3) in Dodoma to discuss among other things preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Ndumbaro was flanked by his Permanent Secretary Gerson Msigwa.
In addition to boxing, officials representing athletics and judo were also present in the meeting which also discussed why Tanzania has not excelled at the Olympics and what should done to perform better not only in the Olympics but at the next Commonwealth and African Games.
Willilo said the choice of Cuba is in line with the Memorandum of Understanding between the government of Tanzania and Cuba.
“The Minister promised us a foreign coach from Cuba to streamline boxing in Tanzania, and also have our own identity in boxing,” said Willilo who is also a board member of the Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC).
“It’s very important for us to have our boxing identity and philosophy right from the grassroots to the national level,” said Willilo.
The Cuban boxers have over the years mesmerised the boxing world with their distinct style that involves intricate footwork, brilliant counterattacks and offensive as well as perfect distancing that enables them to land their punches on target without being hit in return.
Among household names in Cuba include three-time Olympic heavyweight champions, Teofilo Stevenson and Felix Savon.
The two celebrated boxers are a testament to the embodiment of Cuban style of boxing. Their boxing repertoire was a blend of power punching, technical finesse and nimble footwork.
✍🏼AFBC Communications