Kenyans risk early exit at global showpiece

Former National Boxing Coach Patrick 'Mont' Waweru at his home in Kiambu. July 7, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Former Kenyan international boxer, Patrick ‘Mont’ Waweru, has fired a warning shot on national women’s team bound to the World Boxing Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, next month.

Waweru, a former national team captain, allayed fears that the squad may not impress at the global contest due to poor preparations.

His remarks comes few days after the men’s team posted dismal showing in Serbia. 

Kenya fielded a team of 13 boxers to the World Boxing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, which ended at the weekend.

“We must ensure women boxers get more training time like male boxers before they depart for big assignments,” he said.

Waweru, the 1987 All Africa Games lightweight gold medallist, warned that women boxers risk early elimination if they are not exposed to high profile competitions before global championships.

BFK Technical Director Albert Matito said their earlier programs had been affected by Covid-19 pandemic.

“We had a program on how to prepare our players for different international championships but that was affected by the pandemic,” said Matito.

Women boxers who will take part in the global championships will be selected during the Jamal Cup Championships in Nairobi next week, Waweru said, where teams from neighbouring countries will also be in action. 

“Neighbouring countries will be invited for Jamal Cup,” said Waweru.