Excitement is building as Fusion Ministries, under the leadership of Pastor Chad Jones who is also a boxing Promoter, and Zululand Top Team, owned by Coach Ntobeko Ndlela, team up to host the first-ever youth boxing tournament in Richards Bay. This groundbreaking event will take place on July 6th, 2024, and promises to be a highlight for the local community.
Coach Ntobeko, a BSA-licensed boxing manager and professional coach, runs a boxing club in Empangeni that trains both professional boxers and clients. The collaboration between Pastor Chad and Coach Ntobeko has led to the creation of the “Boxing for Purpose” initiative, where they offer free training sessions to amateur boxers every Friday. This unique program combines physical training with spiritual guidance, aiming to keep kids off the streets and uncover hidden talents in Richards Bay and the surrounding areas.
Traditionally, such tournaments are organized by the Department of Sports Arts and Culture. However, Pastor Chad and Coach Ntobeko believe in their responsibility as citizens to contribute to their community. For this upcoming tournament, they have reached out to various businesses in the City of Umhlathuze for sponsorships, receiving generous support. They managed to raise R20,000.00 that will be distributed among all 40 players as prize money, and they will also receive medals and trophies. Pastor Chad stated, “We are incredibly grateful for the support from local businesses, and this prize money, along with the medals and trophies, will greatly encourage our young athletes.”
Coach Ndlela is urging the community to come out and support “Fight Night: Boxing for Purpose.” The entrance fee of R80 will be used to purchase training gear for underprivileged boxers, many of whom have the talent but lack the necessary facilities to develop their skills.
The tournament will feature three divisions based on age:
Parents and community members are encouraged to attend and support this initiative, which aims to be a stepping stone toward a brighter future for the youth involved.
- Cadets: Ages 12 to 14
- Youth: Ages 15 to 17
- Elite: Ages 18 to 40
You can catch the whole interview on the link https://fb.watch/t4R364uX3A/
The event will be held at Fusion Ministries, located at 56 Dollar Drive, on Saturday, July 6th, 2024. Gates will open at 15:00.
Join us for an evening of thrilling matches and community spirit and help us nurture the next generation of boxing champions.
