Kasoka makes it to the finals

Zambian female boxers, Juliana Kasonka, has progressed to the finals in the flyweight category at the ongoing 2nd African Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana.

Kasonka qualified for the finals last evening after she defeated her opponent, Dipouiso Koketso, of Botswana on split point decision in a fight which attracted hundreds of Botswana fans.

Kasoka, who enjoyed being on the bye in the preliminaries, will meet one of the winners of May 26th fight and should she emerge winner she will get a Gold and if she loses she will settle for a Silver medal.

Another female boxer, Linah Kasweka, settled for Bronze after losing to Kedosi Keamodetsi of Botswana in the light weight category.

Kasweka could not match up with the strength of her tall Botswana opponent but managed to survive three rounds without being knocked out.

The boxing matches are taking place at Botho University, about 10 km from University of Botswana, which is the games village.

Meanwhile, Zambia’s only player in Table Tennis at the ongoing 2^nd African Youth Game has been knocked out of the competition but will today participate in the group event where he will be paired with other players from other countries.

Choolwe Hamalambo, who is ranked 12th in Africa, beat Botswana’s Thebe Peo in the pre-quarters before bowing down in the quarter finals at the hands of Ali Kamate of Ivory Coast at the tournament which was played at Botswana National Youth Centre in Gaborone.

Speaking during the post match interview, Table Tennis Junior National team coach, Humphrey Kapula, blamed lack of facility and exposure for the loss.

Kapula said Zambia needs to work on developing facilities for training such as rubbers so that tennis players get used to playing in a standard playing field like others.

He noted that his player played well but lack of exposure cost him medals.