Nick Okoth in search of Africa Games ticket

Boxer Nick Okoth during his commonwealth training at kasarani Gymnasium on 04-07-2014.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Nick Okoth is among 130 boxers who will be searching for glory when selections for the All Africa Games (AAG) and Commonwealth Youth Games start today at Nairobi's Kaloleni Social Hall.

The AAG will be held in Congo Brazzaville in September, while the Commonwealth Youth Games will be in Samoa, also in September.

Okoth, the Africa Military Games light weight bronze medalist, will be among 10 boxers, who will represent the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in the three-day event.

"I have been upping my game at Jamhuri Showground together with my work mates. So far, we have covered great lengths in tactics and I feel I am prepared to face opponents in the historic selections," Okoth said.

Nick Abaka, who is taking part in the ongoing Aiba Pro-Boxing series, is the first KDF boxer to qualify for the Africa Games.

Other notable boxers who will represent KDF in the selections include hard-hitting Simon Mulinge (flyweight) and Francis Muema (bantamweight).

Elly Ajowi (light heavy) and Peter Mungai (light) will fly the Kenya Police flag at the selections, while Matayo Keya will represent Nairobi County in the light fly division.

Boxing Association of Kenya (Bak) Senior Vice Chairman and Technical Director Albert Matito said the association will host 13 clubs at the selections.

"We have instructed the clubs to give us 10 boxers each from the Light Fly division to the Super Heavy categories, with preference to boxers, who reached the intermediate and above levels in Bak's regional contests," said Matito.

Matito said Kenya will pick five boxers for the Commonwealth Youth Games and a similar number in the women's category for the AAG.

"Senior men's category for the AAG will have 10 boxers, which means we will only take winners in all the contested categories," he said.

Commonwealth Games representative Christine Sishoka will be among the top women who will fight for a slot for the AAG. She will meet Ruth Odongo, a representative of Kisumu City.

But the selections will be without the services of Olympian Elizabeth Andiego, who is still recovering from a  motorcycle accident she encountered two months ago along Kangundo Road in Nairobi.

"Andiego is our best boxer, but we are giving her time to heal. We wish her quick recovery and we will always consider her for international duty," Matito said.