Kyalo leads boxers: Kenya sends six pugillists to World Youth Championships

By Ben Ahenda

Boxing action during past league match in Mombasa. Kenya team is going to Bulgaria for World Youth Championships. [PHOTO: OMONDI ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Boxing Association of Kenya (BAK) has selected six exponents to take part in the World Youth Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria from April 9-20.

The team will be led by light flyweight Abednego Kyalo of Dalas Club and is due to jet out on Saturday.

The other members of the team are Juma Shariff of Jericho in the middle weight,  three Mombasa based boxers Said Bagwalia (fly), Leonard Shigila (bantam) and Simon Kimitha (light).

While announcing the team, BAK Vice President Albert Matito called on selected boxers to take the competition seriously because those who excel will automatically qualify for the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China from August 16-28.

“This is a forum for young boxers to showcase their talents and prove themselves against their competitors ahead of big competitions like the Youth Olympics.

“It is supposed to give the pugillists a taste of international standards as they start their careers in boxing,” said Matito.

Technical bench

Three coaches have been appointed by the federation to handle the team led by John Waweru, Patrick ‘Mont’ Wamwea and Wanjohi Mwangi while Francis Kaaria is the team manager.

However, the team is yet to receive their travelling documents and visas. BAK President John Kameta said they are making inquiries through the Kenyan Embassy in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

“They will get their visas by the time the competition starts,” he assured.

The coaches said the team was selected on merit and are optimistic it will win medals in Bulgaria.

“Chances are high. They will  win medals in Bulgaria basing on the competitive criteria used to select them in an open event that attracted players from all over the country,” said Kameta.

Boxing, swimming, athletics, hockey, and tennis are some of the disciplines that Kenya is eyeing to take to the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.

Gain exposure

National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) Chairman Kipchoge Keino had earlier said the youth will get their fair chance to showcase the talent and also interact with their colleagues from other countries where they can share different life experiences in education and social settings.

Prior to the Youth Olympics, Kenyan boxers, like other young athletes, will compete at the Africa Youth Games in May.

Over 20 sports disciplines will be competed in when Botswana hosts the second African Youth Games in Gaborone from May 22–31. This is according to Botswana African Youth Games Organising Committee (BAYGOC).

The discipline that will be held in Gaborone are athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, Canoeing, cycling, football, golf, judo, karate, netball, rowing, rugby, swimming, table tennis, tae kwon do, tennis, triathlon, volleyball and weightlifting.

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