▪️BoBA President makes no bones on their intention to conquer Africa in the IBA prize money tournament with $1000,000 at stake
May 4, 2026
“We are going to compete not merely participating,” declared Botswana Boxing Association President Dirang Thipe.
Announcing Botswana’s comeback to the 2026 IBA Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships, Thipe sounded a warning to other participants: “We want to conquer Africa and finish at the top, let them prepare because we’re back with a bang!”
Botswana returns to Africa’s premier boxing event after a four-year hiatus.
The last time the land-locked southern African country took part in Africa’s most prestigious boxing championships is in the year 2022 in Maputo, Mozambique, finishing seventh with one gold, two silver and three bronze medals.
Enjoying top form, Botswana’s renowned female boxer, Keamogetse Kenosi, won her country’s only gold medal, outpointing DR Congo’s Marcelat Sakobi in the finals. It was the second time Kenosi beat the tough Sakobi having defeated her for the first time at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco, squeezing a 3-2 victory to eliminate her in the quarter-finals. Sakobi went on to win gold by outpointing Mali’s Fatoumata Marine Camera in the featherweight final.
Botswana’s two silvers in Maputo came via bantamweight George Molwante and female lightweight Aratwa Kasemang while light-flyweight Lethabo Modukanele, bantamweight Phekie Bele and minimumweight Kobamelo Molathegi won bronze medals.
IBA Africa has yet to state where and when the 2026 Africa Elite Championships.
Zambia and Cape Verde had indicated and interest to host it while others suggest the rich popular boxing championships should be held in DR Congo to celebrate the appointment of General Ferdinand Luyoyo as IBA Africa Interim President.
Word has it Tanzania is also keen to host the Africa Championships to emulate their East African neighbours, Kenya and Uganda who have staged it twice in 1974 and 1983 while Kenya hosted the 1972 edition.
As to when it will take place, there’s a possibility of having it late September to October after the Glasgow Commonwealth Games from July 23- August 2.
On how he’s getting on since being elected, Thipe said he’s determined to improve Botswana’s boxing standards.
“Our past Executive Committee was a problem, now things are okay we have a lot of goodwill from the government.
I am aiming to take Botswana boxing where it used to be,” said Thipe, and that boxers and the entire boxing fraternity are satisfied with the good work of the current executive.
“Boxers are so happy one of their own is leading the sport, they are aware I know the pain of a punch unlike others who just watch boxing through the windows and then cheat the whole world they were boxers,” said Thipe.
“Kenosi called me on August 9, 2025 after I won the elections and said I am coming back to boxing….
Indeed she did, this shows the goodwill I have from boxers as their president.”
One of Thipe’s memorable achievements as a former international boxer is a gold medal he won at light-heavyweight during the Africa Military Games held in Nairobi in 2002.
