M. KisengeBoost for Hit Squad as NOC-K lend hand in preps for Africa Championship
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 31.08.22. | 19:00
A total of 29 boxers; 16 male and 13 female were selected and reported to residential camp on Tuesday.
The national boxing team, Hit Squad has received a boost ahead of the Africa Championship which doubles up as a qualifier for 2023 World Championship, set for Maputo, Mozambique. This is after the National Olympic Committee of Kenya lend an helping and in terms of finances to the team on Wednesday.
The provisional team of 9 athletes and 2 officials is set to depart on Wednesday 7th September 2022 for the Games which will be held in the Maputo between 7th-19th of September 2022.
A total of 29 boxers; 16 male and 13 female were selected and reported to residential camp on Tuesday, 30th August at Mathare depot in readiness for the 20th edition of the Africa Boxing Championship. The boxers were selected during the national trials held last weekend.
The trials saw notable names and most of which are fresh from a vain attempt at Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Defending Africa lightweight champion Nick Okoth, bantam Shaffi Bakari, flyweight David Karanja, feather Samuel Njau, Martin Oduor, light-welter Victor Odhiambo, light-middle Boniface Mogunde, middle Edwin Okongo and light-heavy George Cosby.
Speaking during the sponsorship presentation, NOC-K Secretary General Francis Mutuku who was accompanied by Women Representative Paurvi Rawal and Executive Member Paul Otula, spoke on the importance of the backing as a stepping stone to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“Coming straight from Birmingham Commonwealth Games, in less than a month, and organizing a National Trials is quite an impeccable feat by the federation and we commend it. Our main aim is to ensure we perform even better towards Paris 2024 and in this, supporting all federations during this period ,” he told NOC-K Media.
“A day ago, the countdown towards the Olympic Games in Paris was marked at two years, meaning we’re a year and some change to the Games and with the political situation in the country, and the Fund currently on hold, we have to come forth and help all affiliate members continue with their activities as Sports never stops,” he added.
Reacting to the support the Committee has been affording the boxing family, Light-weight Christine Ongare, who has previously won a bronze medal in the Championship is also in a Paris 2024 Scholarship from the Olympics Solidarity Program to ensure she qualifies and improves on her Tokyo 2020 performance said it will go a long way in boosting their morale.
Speaking during the cheque handover, head coach Benjamin Musa and the Secretary General David Munuhe thanked NOC-K for coming to their rescue and supporting the team.
“Experience is not gained in the gym, but in competition. We have to be the best in Africa before we’re the best in the world, so our eyes are on the prize heading to the Championship. We were stuck, but now a smile on the face only gives more motivation to the boxers,” he said.
Nick Okoth “Commander”, will be looking to defend his title at his third outing of the Africa Championship having won in 2008 and 2017.
“Hearing new boxers in camp get excited to train with me and look up to me is such a great honor. As the captain also, it motivates me. Last month, we had tough luck in Birmingham, but that’s just how sports is, so in Maputo, we’re putting our best foot forward and even more motivated having gained experience.” said the experienced pugilist.
During the 2017 edition of the Africa Championships in Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo, Kenya placed eighth with one gold from Okoth and four bronze medals by light-fly Bakari who made his international debut and middleweight John Kyalo.
Light-flyweight Christine Ongare and middle Elizabeth Akinyi both of whom made history as the first Kenyan female boxers to win medals in an international tournament also mined out bronze.
This is the third federation NOC-K has supported in August, having granted the Kenya Volleyball Federation, support of the National Women’s team in Brazil which is preparing for the 2022 World Championship in Netherlands and Poland and The Netball Women (Divas) got support to the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers, (Africa Cup) in South Africa.
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