Kenyan boxers risk Olympics qualifiers TKO

The Kenyan boxing team risks failing to honour the Rio 2016 Olympics qualifiers that kick-off on March 9 in Yaounde, Cameroon unless the Ministry of Sports or the National Olympics Committee-Kenya urgently steps in and provides them with air tickets.

Speaking in Nairobi on Monday, Boxing Association of Kenya (BAK) chairman, John Kameta, decried they were not sure how many of the 13 pugilists- ten male and three female- in training camp will travel since his organisation cannot afford to raise funds.

“We have had a lot of challenges, unfortunately the team was supposed to be in camp for about two months but due to financial problems, we are forced to camp for only two weeks.

“I don’t know the arrangements. I must really call upon the Ministry and National Olympics Committee to communicate and give us the position. I’ve been trying to get the real position since last week but up to now I don’t have anything tangible to suggest we shall take the team to Cameroon,” the BAK boss said at Nairobi’s Jamhuri Showground camp.

The national team was selected in Mombasa a last month and only started training on Sunday, way behind schedule.

Peter Mungai (light fly), Simon Mulinge (fly), Benson Gicharu (bantam), Nick Okoth (light), Victor Odhiambo (light welter), Rayton Okwiri/John Kyalo (welter), Nickson Abaka/Edwin Okongo (middle), Humphrey Ochieng’ (light heavy), Elly Ajowi (heavy) and Fred Ramogi (super heavy) are in the men’s squad.

Christine Ongare (fly), Teresia Wanjiru (light) and Elizabeth Akinyi (middle) are the lady boxes selected to contest for Olympics tickets.

Report by Raymond Ochieng