▪️She passed her certification course held concurrently with the 2025 Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championships in Nairobi
Botswana’s Lone Wame Batsalelwang is over the moon.
She’s so excited and thrilled to become the first ever female in Zone 4 to attain Star-3 status, the highest grade in boxing officiating.
Zone 4 comprises 14-member countries namely Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Comoros.
Lone sat for her exams during the IBA Star-3 certification course held concurrently with the 2025 Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championships in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and humbled to be the first female Star 3 in Zone 4,” Lone told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview from Botswana.
“It’s a huge honour and a testament to the support I’ve received from my team and mentors. I’m proud to be breaking barriers and paving the way for other women in officiating. The journey’s been challenging, but moments like these make it all worth it.”
The calm and quiet Lone cannot wait to officiate in the IBA World Championships, the most prestigious boxing tournament on earth.
“This will be a dream come true, I’ve really been yearning to officiate in this big event, to me it’ll be like landing on the moon.”
Lone further narrates how the boxing bug caught up with her.
“Wow, it’s been an incredible journey! I’ve been involved in boxing for about 22 years now, and it’s been a wild ride.
“I actually started as a fan, watching matches with my dad, and I was fascinated by the skill and strength of the boxers. What drew me in was the combination of physicality and mental toughness required in the sport. I wasn’t a boxer myself. Now, I’m stoked to be an official, giving back to the sport I love.”
Here’s Lone’s journey as a referee/judge
2005: National Certificate
2013 : IBA Star 1 Course Botswana Gaborone
2018 : Nelson Mandela Boxing Championship 4 Nations Cup, East London (South Africa)
2018 : AUSC Youth Games Gaborone
Botswana
2019: Zone 4 Boxing Championships, Botswana Gaborone at Botho University
2021: AUSC Youth Games Lesotho Maseru
2025: Zone 4 Boxing Championships in Maputo Mozambique Star 2 IBA course
2025: Zone 3 Championships, Nairobi Kenya, Star 3 IBA Course. Now Certified IBA Star 3 R/J
2025: Africa Youth Games Luanda Angola 🇦🇴
