Otieno: Govt Spokesman Oguna introduced me to boxing

Otieno: Govt Spokesman Oguna introduced me to boxing

Top Kenyan referee cum judge Nelson Otieno who has been appointed to officiate in the Konstantin Korotkov Memorial Boxers’ Cup International in Khabarovsk, Russia from May 10-18, has revealed that government spokesman Cyrus Oguna is the man that introduced him to the sport when he was heading the military boxing team.

“My boxing refereeing journey started long time ago when Col (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna introduced me to the sport while he was heading the boxing military squad,” said Otieno.

Otieno has been participating in the National Boxing League and other international championships with his last international assignment coming during Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo in March, 2021.

He joins a list of other international referees from Europe who will officiate in the nine-day competition starting Monday and is very confident that it will help to better his career.

“This tournament will give me exposure and experience while according me a unique opportunity of meeting different people and officiating in games of different intensity. I have never been to Russia anyway,” he added.

It will be his second global event as a referee after doing so during the World Military Games in South Korea in 2015 and he has a piece of advice to upcoming referees in Kenya.

“This profession is not hard but needs a lot of dedication and you also have to spend your time and money. They should make sure they attend many games from grassroots to top level.

“The challenges that you get are what will make you a better official. I have always done that and it has helped me a lot,” Otieno said.

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Colonel (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna Nelson Otieno

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