As the 12th edition of the Africa Games approaches, the Kenyan boxing team, Hit Squad, has stepped up its preparations at the Kenya Police Depot in Mathare, Nairobi. The team is set to compete in Rabat, Morocco from August 19-31.
According to Jamal Otieno, the recently elected president of the Boxing Association of Kenya (BAK), the team is in good form and ready to take on the best in Africa. Otieno visited the team on Tuesday and expressed his optimism about their chances in Morocco.
"We are doing our best to keep our provisional squad of both male and female pugilists in good form before we join the camp for the Games," Otieno said.
David Munuhe, one of the coaches handling the team, revealed that they are still waiting for confirmation from the games organising committee on the specific weight categories for both men and women boxers who will be eligible to compete in Morocco.
"There are 10 male weight categories and three female ones in the tournaments organised by the International Boxing Association (AIBA). But in the Olympic Games, they have eight male and five female weight berths," Munuhe explained.
John Waweru, the BAK competition secretary, announced that Shaffi Bakari, who won a light flyweight bronze medal during the 2017 Africa Championship in Congo Brazzaville, has moved to flyweight. Bakari's move was prompted by his desire to compete in a new weight category.
Waweru also revealed that Joseph Mulinge, who dominated the flyweight category, performed poorly during the third leg of the national boxing league at Kongowea's Uwanja wa Mbuzi in Mombasa. Mulinge lost in the quarter-finals.
The provisional squad includes several talented boxers, including Abednego Kyalo, Martin Odour, Dennis Muthamo, Nick Okoth, Ethan Maina, Victor Odhiambo, Stanley Onguto, Hassan Wanende, Joseph Shigali, Boniface Muande, George Ouma, Edwin Okonga, Hezron Maganga, Humphrey Ochieng, Elly Ajowi, and Fredrick Ramogi.
