GABORONE - Botswana national team boxing coach, Johannes Ditlhabang has expressed concern over the lack of technical prowess and fitness amongst local pugilists.

In an interview after the finals of the poorly attended Keone Maoka Mageu National Championships at the University of Botswana Student Union Hall, Ditlhabang conceded that a lot still needs to be done to improve the level of boxers to compete at Olympic standards.

However, the experienced tactician applauded the efforts made by upcoming youngsters in the mould of 19-year-old Tirafalo Seoko and 21-years-old Oratile Segokgo for showing little respect for their experienced counterparts.

Professional boxer, Herbert Nkabiti who plies his trade at the paying ranks of South African Balance Rhythm Defence Boxing Academy shared the same sentiments and added that with enough support and resources upcoming youngsters had the potential to turn professional.

Meanwhile the highlight of the afternoon was the bout between Boitumelo Taolo and Seoko. It was only a matter of time before the Francistown club boxer Taolo came crushing down on the impressive youngster and scored 19 out of Seokos 11.

Taolo looked totally out of his depth from the first bell as Seoko crunched hooks into his jaw.

The Kalahari Sands boxing club youngster did at least prove that he could take a punch.

Despite showing lots of lateral head movements he was regularly caught off guard.

In another interesting bout light welter weight champion Zibani Chikanda narrowly edged former national team boxer Gomotsang Gaasite 12-11.

Another former national team athlete Moabi Mothibi scored easily against Arnold Tsele who fought to a bitter end and failed to close the 3-2 gap.

Bathusi Mogajane beat Molatlhe Thapelo, development boxer Oteng Oteng beat Nthaba Nlanda 11-6, Patrick Seoko humiliated Kagiso Tebogo 19-11, Keolopile Gabaikanngwe beat Larona Francis and Kgomotso Gabaikanngwe edged out Thabo Monametsi 12-5.

Seoko scooped the most improved boxer award, best bout was between the latter and Taolo, best boxer was awarded to Oratile Segokgo while Eastern Military Garrison won the overall award and walked away with a P20 000.

DTCB was second placed and BMC came third winning P10 000 and P5 00- each respectively.

Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) President explained that the championships were the last event of the year in the associations calendar and they will now brace for the Best of the Best tournament which will take place early next year.

He said they will have time to select a team that will prepare for the Commonwealth Games next year in India and the 2011 World Boxing Championships to be staged in Busan, South Korea.

The team which currently comprise of Mogajane, Mmoloki Nogeng, Oteng and Jonas Moeti will also be expected to compete at the London 2012 Olympics. BOPA