A sports fanatic took his passion for helping others to the next level. He established a sports academy where he trains and mentors people in different areas of sport.
B.R.D Sports Academy founder and trainer, Manny Fernandes said he has always participated in sports from a young age.
“I started boxing at the age of seven years old. When I turned 11 my mom discouraged me from boxing and I began participating in various other sport. I played soccer, rugby and participated in swimming and athletics. Although boxing was always my true passion, I decided to go back to it years later,” explained Fernandes.
He explained how he has always had a passion for the underdog in any sport and the satisfaction he gets from proving everyone wrong. Fernandes said that one of the reasons he opened the sports academy, was to get kids off the streets and to offer unemployed boxers employment.
“Some of the boxers I work with are from disadvantaged backgrounds. I train and mentor them. Out of the six boxers I have trained, four of them became SA champions and two became international champions. I was also awarded the Boxing SA Best Trainer award in 2003 and 2005. I believe it is because I trained average boxers into champions,” said Fernandes.
Professional boxer Walter Dlamini said he was an amateur boxer for 10 years until he became a professional in 2012.
“Working with Manny has been a great opportunity given his experience and so far he has taken me to great heights. Since I’ve been playing professionally I won the five-time middleweight championship, won 12 out of 15 competitions, lost one and drew twice. I also enjoy training people and help them reach their goals,” said Dlamini.
