BFK plans three-day trials to identify squad for Paris Olympics

9
BFK plans three-day trials to identify squad for Paris Olympics
BFK plans three-day trials to identify squad for Paris Olympics

Africa-Press – Kenya. The Boxing Federation of Kenya have organised a three-day trial to identify a team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. BFK secretary general Dave Munuhe brought the development to light in a press release on Friday.

“The preparations 2024 Paris Olympics will start soon. Therefore, BFK has organised a trial for its elite team (men/women) that will participate in the Olympics qualifiers,” Munuhe said.

The trials will take place between June 29 and July 1 at Charter Hall, Nairobi, Munuhe said. “Kindly be informed that boxers who are above intermediate level and are on the Olympics weights will be allowed to participate,” said Munuhe.

Hit Squad head coach Benjamin Musa said they hope to field more pugilists in the next Olympics. “We had only four boxers at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and we look forward to having a bigger team in France,” Musa said.

This comes a day after Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba said plans are afoot to send the boxing team for training in Cuba ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Namwamba said during his recent visit to Cuba, his host had agreed to partner with Kenya as far as training boxers, volleyballers and sprinters. “We agreed that boxers will train in Cuba before flying directly to Paris,” he said.

He said he believes the program will go a long way in preparing Kenyan boxers and athletes for the Olympic Games. BFK lauded the government’s plan to send the national boxing team to Cuba for intensive training.

Musa termed the plan a step in the right direction, expressing optimism that the move would help lead the national team to unprecedented heights. “We welcome the idea wholesome because it’s long overdue. This is something that should have been implemented long ago,” Musa said.

“We’ve discovered that all successful boxing nations compete in at least 20 competitions annually.”

“When we traveled to Uzbekistan for the World Championships, we observed camps being established for several age groups, including the Under 6, Under 12 and Under 15. The training they are receiving makes it clear that they will become champions in the future,” he added.

Musa stated that they were keen to do whatever it takes to catapult Hit Squad back to its former glory, noting that the team had improved a lot in recent years.

“Considering a number of our boxers made the final 16 for the first time in 30 years, I must say we had a good show in Uzbekistan. At this point, winning a medal would be our next objective. Kenya has been without a medal since 1988.”

Musa said there is need for more government assistance to the team if they are to realise their dream. “Lack of finances has seen the competition of the local pugilists take a hit unlike the years gone by when Robert Wangila pounded his way to win the Olympic gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Games,” Musa said.

For More News And Analysis About Kenya Follow Africa-Press

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here