Boxers focus on Commonwealth Games

Boxing team members arrive from Sri Lanka. The team is in camp in Nairobi. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Boxing Association of Kenya has postponed all League matches to August to give the national team adequate time to prepare for the Commonwealth Games.

The Club Games will be staged in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 3.

The team of 13 boxers is in residential training in Nairobi under three coaches Albert Matito, George ‘Foreman’ Onyango and Patrick Maina. The trio are assisted by John Waweru.

Boxing Association of Kenya President John Kameta said morale was high in camp.

In another development, Kameta said their participation in the Africa Cup Boxing Championships in Port Elizabeth, South Africa hangs in the balance.

“We are facing financial constraints, which has jeopardised our chances of taking part in the tournament. Unless the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) comes to our rescue, the team might not travel,” he said.

The team wanted to use the event as part of its build-up before travelling to Glasgow. The Africa Cup Boxing Championships will start in Port Elizabeth from June 14-21.

Kameta said they are still pursuing the matter with Nock, with only 10 days left to the competition.

World Boxing Governing Body, AIBA, has sanctioned the South African tournament that has attracted a number of renowned boxing nations from Europe and Africa.

Meanwhile, Kenya Defence Forces are leading the National Boxing League standings. — [e-mail]