Hopes high as boxers leave for World event

Kenya's Elizabeth Andiego (right) in action against Rady Adosalinda Gramane. [File]

As the national women's boxing team flies out to Serbia for the World Women Boxing Championships that begins on Saturday in Belgrade, the playing unit is ready to improve on their performance.

Boxers interviewed said they are ready to give their best and improve on their performance compared to previous global showpieces.

Team captain Elizabeth Andiego said they are aware of the task ahead since they are going to face some of the experienced boxers from other parts of the world, which makes the battle more interesting and tough.

"Taking part in a global championship is total war, but we are equally ready for it since our coaches have prepared us well for the showpiece. We are ready to do our part as boxers, which should be better than our previous performance," Andiego, who's the most experienced boxer in the squad, told Standard Sports.

She has featured in two Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Andiego has also taken part in several Africa Boxing Championships and Africa Zone Three Championships and is therefore rated among the best boxers in the continent.

Head coach Musa Benjamin picked a squad of eight boxers who fly out to the European country tonight.

They are Andiego, light flyweight Lencer Akinyi, flyweight Veronica Mbithe, bantamweight Amina Martha, featherweight Pauline Chege, lightweight Emily Juma, light welterweight Cynthia Mwai and welterweight Friza Anyango.

Mwai (Cynthia,) who is making her debut in the team, said her inclusion was a morale booster.