Experienced boxers carry Kenya's hopes in Turkey event

Northern Ireland's Carly McNaul (L) and Kenya's Christine Ongare in a past bout. [AFP]

Three experienced boxers are part of national women's boxing team that jetted out to Istanbul, Turkey on Friday night for the World Women Boxing Championships starts tomorrow.

They are Africa Zone Three light-heavyweight gold medallist Elizabeth Andiego, Commonwealth Games flyweight bronze medallist Christine Ongare and Africa Zone Three light middleweight silver medallist Lorna Kusa.

It will not be the first time for the trio to take part in the global championships as they have participated in the past events. 

Therefore, they are the most experienced players in the ten-member squad announced by head coach Musa Benjamin on Thursday evening.

Andiego will be participating in the global championships for the third time having been in Barbados in 2010 and China in 2012 while Ongare and Kusa have each featured in the competition once in China.

Banjamin said the boxers are in good shape and any of the ten boxers selected by the technical bench can pull a surprise.

“All boxers are in good shape and the morale is high in the camp,” said Benjamin.

"With the training we have had, I don't think any of them will drop in the opening bouts or talk of a defeat at this stage."

Other members in the squad include flyweight Ann Wanjiru, bantamweight Alice Weiyego, featherweight Amina Martha, lightweight Stacy Ayoma, light welterweight Teresia Wanjiru, welterweight Everlyn Akinyi and middleweight Elizabeth ‘Jaber’ Akinyi.