Kenya Prisons ready to challenge Kenya Police in Kisumu

Shaffi Bakri of Police (in blue) evades a punch from Robert Gachuhi of Nairobi in a quarterfinal featherweight bout during the third leg of national Boxing League at Madison Square Garden in Nakuru.[Ben Ahenda,Standard]

In a strategic move to outperform league champions Kenya Police in the final leg of the National Boxing League in Kisumu, former champions Kenya Prisons are deploying a robust team consisting of 13 boxers and four technical officials to the event. This marks a significant increase from their previous participation, where only five boxers represented the team.

The team comprises ten male and three female boxers, including three international talents: Africa Zone Three light welterweight silver medallist Teresia Wanjiru, the sensational Ann Wanjiru, and light welterweight Anthony Maina.

Kenya Prisons' renewed determination stems from their absence in the penultimate leg of the league championships in Nanyuki last weekend. The three-day competition is set to kick off on Thursday and will conclude on Saturday.

Currently ranked fourth in the log with 27 points, Kenya Prisons trails behind champions Kenya Police (120 points), Kenya Defence Forces (98 points), and Nairobi County (30 points).

Bernard Otoo, the Secretary General of Kenya Prisons Boxing Club, expressed confidence in their ability to defeat the police team and secure a respectable position this time.

"Beating the policemen is possible with proper planning, and that's exactly what we are doing as we aim to win the Kisumu championships. This time we must beat them," Otoo stated.

The squad's determination to claim victory in Kisumu is fueled by their ambition to make a formidable start in the upcoming season. Otoo emphasized that winning the Kisumu Championships would serve as a morale booster for the team's preparations for the following year.

"Winning the Kisumu Championships should be a morale booster for us as we get ready to make a formidable start and win the title next season. We are determined to do exactly that," he affirmed.

Head coach Bernard Ngumba echoed Otoo's sentiments, noting that the players are in the right frame of mind to tackle the event effectively.

"We are happy to make it to Kisumu after missing two legs of the league championships. We will try our level best to finish at a respectable position," Ngumba remarked.

Having missed the Siaya and Nanyuki legs of the league championships, the team is set to depart for Kisumu on Wednesday afternoon, ready to showcase their prowess in the ring.