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The Nairobian

The chosen few: Reuben Ndolo, Francis Paul tip Kenyan boxers to win medals in Commonwealth Games

Boxing

By - ERICK OCHIENG’ | Apr 14, 2014

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Aziz Ali (left) and Elly Ajowi during their Light Heavy weight bout on Friday. [PhotoS: JENNIPHER WACHIE/STANDARD]

Commonwealth Sports Council Director Reuben Ndolo and the National Olympic Committee-Kenya (Nock) Secretary General Francis Paul have tipped Kenya to win more medals at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland in July.

The two, who oversaw the national trials at the Kaloleni Social Hall in Nairobi, experessed their confidence in the national squad of ten men and three women selected after a three-day trials by Boxing Association of Kenya (BAK).

The two officials also presided over the bringing together of BAK officials, one led by chairman John Kameta and the other by Nairobi County Boxing Association chairman Daniel Njenga.

“The team selected here today is up to the task. There is no doubt that it will win medals in Scotland. Kameta deserves commendation for giving all boxers an opportunity to participate in the trials,” said Ndolo.

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Strong squad

“It’s a strong and tactical squad which needs independent and competent experts to manage ahead of the Club Games.”

Ndolo, who has pledged to support the team, urged the government to fund the team, saying the squad needs early residential training and international friendly bouts to improve its tactical approaches and endurance.

“The team should be assisted to go for next month’s King Lion Boxing Championships in Sri Lanka as this will give the Kenyans the necessary exposure. I am glad that the Zambian squad will be coming to Kenya next month for bouts against the national squad Mombasa,” said Ndolo.

Paul, who gave the selection a clean bill of health, said Nock is looking for the best way to assist the team.

Nock happy

“For the first time Nock is happy with what BAK has done by bringing independent judges and referees to officiate during the trials, we are happy with the squad and will look at various ways to supplement BAK’s budget for residential camp,” noted Paul.

The women who made the cut for Commonwealth Games were Lornah Kusa, Elizabeth Adhiambo Andiego and Christine Shisoka, all of Nairobi.

The Kenya Defence Forces had the largest share, producing half of the boxers in the men’s category. They included Charles Okoth, Dennis Okoth, Nick Okoth, Nick Abaka and Simon Mulinge.

Prison had three boxers namely Aziz Ali, Rayton Okwiri and Daniel Shisia.

Olympian Benson Gicharu was the sole boxer from Kenya Police while Nairobi Metro produced Matayo Keya.

The team will be under veteran coach Albert Matito who led Kenya to the Greece Olympics in 2004 and to the 2010 Delhi Club Games.

Kameta said the men’s team will be cut down to eight and that BAK has the final say on the squad that will travel to Scotland to represent Kenya in the Club Games.