Mogunde says local league is not competitive

Boxer Boniface Mogunde during the team's training session at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi.[Stafford Ondego,Standard]

Boxers have said the level of competition in the local league was low and does not prepare them well for international competition.

Deputy captain Boniface Mogunde who boxes for league champions Kenya Police, said the matches are good for maintaining their fitness levels but not give them exposure like in international assignments.

“It’s good to feature in league matches that only takes care of our fitness levels but the exposure is not enough to keep to international standards,” he told Standard Sports as boxers prepare to take part in the third leg of the league championships at Madison Square Garden in Nakuru from Thursday to Saturday next week.

Mogunde, who is the Africa Zone Three light middleweight silver medallist and a continental bronze medallist in the same weight confirmed that the quality of local matches was still below par.

“Our standards are just catching up with the rest of the continent but do not measure to the required standards,” he said.

Africa Boxing Championships middleweight silver medallist Elizabeth Andiego who’s the national team captain said they are ready for the league matches.

“It’s a league leg at a time as we prepare ourselves for the two rounds of World Olympic Qualifiers in Italy and Thailand,” said Andiego who boxes for Kentract Boxing Club.

Boxing Federation of Kenya first vice president Isaac Mbote said they have made all the necessary efforts to make sure they host a successful tournament.

“All the teams that take part in the league matches have confirmed coming here (Nakuru) but we’ll also field a formidable team as we fight to regain our lost glory,” said Mbote.

Meanwhile, Ongata Rongai Boxing Club head coach Mike Otieno said his boxers will form part of Kajiado County Boxing team in Nakuru.