Nairobi ABA select 12 boxers for Kenya Open from Thursday

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Nairobi’s Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) at weekend selected 12 boxers who will represent the region at the Kenya Open Championship set for Nairobi this week.

The bouts, which brought together more than 20 clubs from across Nairobi constituencies, commenced last Thursday at the Charter Hall.

Kamau Ng’ang’a (left) of Kibera and Ethan Maina of Mbotela fight in the Bantamweight category during the Nairobi ABA Open Championships at Charter Hall, Nairobi on Saturday. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/standard]

Lorna Kusa of St John’s overcame club mate Millicent Anyango in the women’s light welterweight category. Kusa was the better boxer in the fight as she denied her opponent a chance to collect the vital points.

It was apparent that Anyango, whose punches were rather slow and off target needs more training to step up her game.

Larry King of St Teresa’s, who beat Julius Atito of Tommy G Boxing Club, won in the light heavyweight category, as Matayo Keya of Mbotela, who overcame Frank Munene of Umoja in a rather balanced encounter, prevailed in the light flyweight category.

Keya was also awarded the Best Boxer in the Tournament, while Munene emerged the Most Promising Boxer.

Edward Omolo of StTeresas’ failed to overcome Isaac Meja of Mbotela in the hotly contested Flyweight category bout. Kamau Ng’ang’a (Kibera) was too good for Ethan Maina (Mbotela) in the bantamweight category.

Best club

Other winners included St John’s Wickliff Ouma (junior 12-13 years), Kahawa’s Joseph Kimani (Lightweight), St John’s George Ochieng’ (junior 9-10 years), Kahawa’s Kennedy Simiyu (light welter), Moi Airbase’s Edward Okongo (welterweight), Box G’s Elizabeth Adhiambo (middle) and Umoja’s James Omondi (middleweight).

Mbotela emerged the best club in the championship with two gold and one silver medal. Kahawa came second with two gold medals, while St Teresa’s took third position with one gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia, who was the chief guest, presented the winners with the awards. Kisia co-sponsored the event with Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa, while Umoja councillor, George Theuri, was the event coordinator. The three have promised to support the high profile Kenya Open championship to be held at the venue from Thursday to Saturday this week. They will also support the Kenya team for the regional women and youth boxing event in Dar es Salaam mid next month.

ABA Secretary General Steve Gacheru confirmed six clubs have already registered for the Kenya Open championships. The clubs are Coast, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Nairobi, Nanyuki, Afaba and Administration Police.

"More clubs are expected to confirm their participation by Tuesday (tomorrow)," said Gacheru who added that Kenya Open is an important tournament, as the winners will represent the country in Morocco in May next year for the London Olympic qualifiers.

"The selected national team at Kenya Open will go for a two-month residential camp in Kasarani before they depart to Morocco," added Gacheru.

Meanwhile, ABA officials are set to hold a meeting on November 19 to iron out the stalemate in the federation. The officials said they are looking for a way forward for the federation.