Rabat show has Kenya dreaming of more boxing success

Gilbert Kiprotich in Rabat, Morocco

After Kenyan boxers bagged an impressive five medals at the African Games, Boxing Association of Kenya (BAK) president Anthony Ombok says it is a new dawn for the sport in Kenya with more yet to come.

It was Kenya’s most impressive performance in the championship as Shaffi Hassan Bakari won silver in the men’s flyweight 52kg ending a 12-year drought Kenya has missed to notch either silver or gold in the championships.

Apart from Bakari, Kenya won four other bronze medals through Elly Ajowi heavyweight (91kg), Fredrick Ramogi superheavyweight (+91kg), George Ouma middleweight (75kg) and Boniface Mogunde welterweight (69kg).

It was an improvement from the 2015 African Games held in Brazzavile, Congo, where Kenya bagged only two bronze medals through Nick Okoth and Ajowi.

Barely two months after being elected to the office, Ombok could not be more happy with the performance as he attributed the success to proper planning and teamwork from all the stakeholders ahead of the Games.

“The most important thing is teamwork and since I came in recently, I have exactly embraced that where we are sharing ideas between the officials, coaches and players and that has really worked very well,” said Ombok.

Ombok further disclosed that the ‘Hit Squad’ will have proper preparations ahead of the Olympic qualifier matches slated for next year February.

“The only secret to success in boxing is to play against the best and we have developed a lot of contacts with other countries and we will be looking forward to playing them in friendlies in order to sharpen our skills,” he said.

It was in the women category however that Kenya failed to bag a single medal at the championships and head coach Benjamin Musa says they have to go to the drawing board ahead of the next assignment.

“Our ladies are not badly off but we have to tighten some loose ends that includes speedwork and movement which are very key determinants in this sport,” said Musa.

Tags:

Boxing All African Games

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories