KDF, Police to renew rivarly at Madison: Final leg of national league starts tomorrow in Nakuru

Kenya Defence Forces Musa Gitonga (blue) and Police Joseph Shigali(red) exchange blows during the National Boxing League in Thika. Musa won 3-0. ON 16/08/14 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and Police renew their rivalry during the fifth and final leg of the National Boxing League scheduled to box off tomorrow at Madison Square Garden in Nakuru.

The two teams who are the main title contenders in the league have seen KDF fighting hard to win it for the first time in seven years as defending champions Police, remain keen to retain it for the eighth consecutive year.The two teams comprise experienced players who have represented Kenya in various championships.

However, KDF starts favourites in the chase for the title because they are leading the log with 94 points ahead of the policemen, whom they have beaten with nine points.

Boxing Association of Kenya (BAK) Vice President Albert Matito confirmed participation of all teams save for AP, Nairobi Metropolitan and Nairobi County. The teams xpected are KDF, Police, Prisons, Nakuru ABC, Coast Combined, Central Region, Nyanza Combined, Kenyatta National Hospital and Nanyuki.

Matito said weighing in and medical check-ups would be done tomorrow morning.

The league proceeds to the last Inter Regional Championships, which was not honoured by three clubs with KDF and Coast Combined being the only teams who picked points as Police got a walkover after Central Combined failed to raise a team.

Speaking before the championships, Police coach George ‘Foreman’ Onyango said: “We are taking each match at a time and with the last chapter of league set for Nakuru, anything is possible.”

Meanwhile, three trophies bought by BAK President John Kameta for first three finishers will replace the giant Yamashita Trophy.

Matito said unlike in the past where they only awarded the league champions, this time the runners-up and the third team will also
receive honours.

“This is meant to encourage competitiveness so that the first three finishers walk home with prizes,” he said.

At the same time, Matito said Yamashita Trophy has been renamed Kameta Cup.

“This is to appreciate efforts by BAK President in promoting the standards of the game by sponsoring tournaments and boxers in different championships,” Matito said.

In another development, International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) has promoted national middleweight champion Nixon baka to Amateur Professional Boxing.

This is after his exemplary performance in the World Boxing Championships in Kazakhstan and in Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. “The player made sporadic improvements in the two competitions, hence his promotion,” added Matito.

Abaka joins welterweight Rayton Okwiri of Prisons and flyweight Benson Gicharu of Police in APB Championships.