In an exciting development for Namibian boxing, a delegation of six boxers and three officials is gearing up to travel to Italy for the first Boxing Qualifiers for the Paris Olympics.

This announcement was made by Secretary-General Joan Smit during a press briefing held at the office of the Namibia National Olympic Committee in Windhoek, Namibia.

The team is scheduled to depart on February 28th and return on March 13th, marking a crucial period for these talented boxers.

While numerous sport codes are preparing for the All-African Games and Olympics, the Namibian boxing team is focused on securing their spots in the upcoming qualifiers in Italy.

The six boxers who will be representing Namibia in this high-stakes event are Petrus Festus, Jonas Junias Jonas, Johannes Trofimus, Gebhard Ipinge, Try again Morning Ndevelo, and Elifas Shailemo. Accompanying them will be coach Albertus Tsamaseb and team manager Titus Muunda Joseph.

One standout boxer among the group is Jonas Junius Jonas, the 2018 Commonwealth Champion, who brings a wealth of experience and skill to the team.

To support the team's preparations, nutrition sponsorship has been secured from Herman Maritz, the Managing Director of DEO Pharma.

Maritz previously sponsored the Namibian team that participated in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, illustrating his commitment to the development of Namibian boxing.

Secretary-General Joan Smit explained the reasoning behind sponsoring the boxing team, stating that it was essential to provide the athletes with another opportunity to qualify for the Olympics.

After the disappointment of not making the cut in the previous qualifiers, it was crucial to give them a chance to showcase their talents once again.

In an interview with NBC, several boxers expressed confidence in their ability to qualify for the Olympics and vowed to bring home gold medals.

Petrus Festus, one of the boxers, stated, "I have trust in myself and trust in my team, so the aim is a gold medal. Expect a gold medal at home."

Gebhard Ipinge, another promising boxer, also shared his aspirations, saying, "Having experience from previous events, this time I would like to plea to the nation to expect more from me and the team. We have some good news from the team, and we will definitely qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics."

The Namibian National Olympic Committee covered all expenses for the boxers' recent trip to South Africa to complete their visa processes, further demonstrating their support and commitment.

As the team prepares to embark on this significant journey, their determination to secure gold medals in honour of the late President is unwavering.