Kenya set to host Zone Three event

Antony 'Jamal' Ombok re-elected as President of the Boxing Federation of Kenya during National Elections at Moi International Sport Center, Kasarani on Feb 1, 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya has confirmed the hosting of Africa Zone Three Championships from October 15-25 in Nairobi.

A total of 14 countries who are Africa Zone Three members are expected to attend the one and half week long event.

So far, only eight countries have confirmed participation with six more expected to do so.

Those that have confirmed participation are hosts Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Others expected are Gabon, Uganda, Rwanda, Chad, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic.

Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) Communications Director Duncan Kuria said they are ready to give their best to host the first international tournament for the first time in two decades. 

"We are delighted to have been given this opportunity to host this magnificent event," Kuria told Standard Sports. 

The event will be hosted at Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

BFK President Anthony 'Jamal' Ombok is the President of Africa Zone Three whose secretariat is in DRC at Kinshasa. 

Kenya will be allowed to field two teams as hosts.

The event is expected to assist the Hit Squad shape up for the World Championships before the end of the year.

“As the Zone 3 and BFK President, I also take this opportunity to congratulate the government of President William Ruto for inspiring our Kenyan footballers with handsome cash incentives in the Africa Chan tournament that shows his unwavering commitment to empower the youth through sports and we appeal to him to extend the good gesture to our boxers and the sport, which is a big industry," Ombok told Nenez Media Services. 

Kuria said Kenya is ready to snatch the overall title from defending champions DR Congo. 

In the last Africa Zone 3 Championships held in 2022 in Kinshasa, DR Congo won 13 gold, 13 silver and 12 bronze medals followed by Kenya with six gold medals, five silver and seven bronze.