Kameta wants more coaches as Hit Squad prepares for New Delhi challenge

Boxing Association of Kenya president John Kameta has said that the Commonwealth bound boxers will need more coaches to enhance their skills if they are to impress in Gold Coast, Australia.

“I’m pushing for six coaches; this is according to the rules set by the international boxing body AIBA because we need at least three on the ringside while the other three will be with the other boxers in training. We want our boxers to bring many medals,”Kameta charged.

BAK will send a strong team to the Commonwealth Games and Kameta insists that the final squad will be named early next month after taking part in an invitational tournament in India, slated for the January 28- February 1.

A team of 13 boxers, who were last week selected at the national qualifiers at the Kaloleni Social Hall, will head to New Delhi for the inaugural India Open Boxing Championship.

“There is no boxer who can qualify for the national championship without knowing the integrities of performing well internationally. What we are now looking for is the experience needed to take part in an international event. We want them to meet many international opponents and that’s why we are going to India,” the BAK boss said.

“We also want to take our boxers to Mauritius if funds allow as experience will play a big role in winning medals in Australia,” he added.

Kenya only won a bronze in the 2012 games in Glasgow, Scotland, and Kameta believes with proper preparations, this year’s squad will do better.

“We have been given seven slots in Gold Coast for men and four for women. The ten boxers we are taking to India will finally be reduced to seven; I believe it will make the selection competitive as we want to go with the best.”

Men

Benson Gicharu (Kenya Police)-Bantamweight

Nick Okoth (KDF)-Middleweight

Shaffi Bakari (Kenya Police)-Light fly

Mohammed Ali (Kongowea)-Flyweight

Victor Onyango (KDF)-Lightweight

Jacob Kimathi (Kenya Prisons)-Welter

Edwin Okongo (KDF)-Middleweight

Nick Abaka (KDF)-Light heavy

Elly Ajowi (Kenya Police)-Heavyweight

Women

-Veronica Mbithe (Dallas)-Flyweight

-Lonah Kusa (Nairobi)-Light welter

-Christine Ongare (Nairobi)-Bantamweight

-Elizabeth Andiego (Nairobi) Middleweight