Mombasa, Vihiga counties pull out of Kenya Open Boxing Championships

Kimut Rono of Alaa Rockers club and Ramsey Muhamzi of Kibera Olympic in action. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Mombasa and Vihiga counties pulled out of Kenya Open Boxing Championships that box-off at Charter Hall, Nairobi Tuesday afternoon.

The two branches cite inability to raise substantial financial resources to fund their activities as their main predicament that forced them out of the four-day boxing extravaganza.

Mombasa County Boxing Association Secretary General Chrispin Onyango confirmed that it was sad to pull out of the tournament owing to financial difficulties.

"Owing to financial difficulties that we have recently gone through, we'll be unable to send a team to Nairobi for the Kenya Open Championships,"Onyango told Standard Sports.

He said unless a miracle happens, then they could be

The same sentiments were shared by Vihiga County Boxing Association Chairman Daniel Andafu.

"We cannot be able to have our teams take part in this event because we cannot foot our bills. This time we cannot make it to the city," he said.

And as they lamented their inability to travel to the city, two clubs from Nakuru County have named their squads to the event.

Ziwani and Sombea Boxing Clubs were ready to make their presence felt from their formidable squads made public yesterday.

Sombea has five boxers, while Ziwani two female and eight male boxers who are ready to rumble here.

Ziwani head coach Camlus Juma said: "Our boxers have shown remarkable resilience and dedication towards this event. Their participation in previous championships has prepared us well for the Kenya Open this time again."

His (Juma) deputy Joseph Gatua said they were in high spirits and confident of doing better owing to their commitment in training.

"The team is in high spirits, and our commitment to training is what has given us the confidence of hoping to perform exceptionally better," Gatua said.

Sombea head coach Peter Githenji said despite of their past challenges, they have remained focused to achieve positive results in the Kenya Open Championships.

"Our boxers are more focused towards this event despite of our past challenges. And our hard work and perseverance are commendable in players who are determined to reach another level," said Githenji.

The club's deputy coach Samson Orinda said the experience gained from previous tournaments was invaluable for the team's readiness to showcase their skills in the tournament.

Boxers from the two clubs are from Nakuru's down estates of Ziwani, Kaloleni, Kivumbini, Murunyo, Kiamunyi, and surrounding neighbourhoods.