This archive report was first published on 17 November 2019.
On November 17, 2019, Kenyan boxer Fatuma Zarika lost her World Boxing Council Super Bantamweight title to Mexican Yamileth Mercado in a unanimous decision at Poliforo in Ciudad Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Hours after the loss, Zarika expressed her disappointment and frustration with the government's lack of support for sports and athletes in Kenya.
She stated that it was better for the belt to remain in Mexico, where the government supports its athletes, rather than in Kenya, where she felt unsupported.
“I know what I have done and I am not apologizing to anybody. When I won the belt, I did not have anybody on my side, I was alone” said Zarika in a video that has since gone viral.
She also mentioned that she had previously won twice against Catherine Phiri of Zambia and had previously held the title for four years.
Her sentiments come days after Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga pleaded with the Government to give a befitting financial support to national teams which fly Kenya’s flag in international competitions.
