ABA selects team for Maputo and global tourney

 

BY BEN AHENDA

 

Amateur Boxing Association has announced the final team to the All African Games in Maputo, Mozambique, from September 3-18.

The 10 boxers include Peter Mungai in the light flyweight, Benson Gicharu (fly), Nick Okoth (bantam), Joseph Njogu (light), Victor Onyango (light welter), Rayton Okwiri (middle), Tobias Okeyo (light heavy), Joshua Ndere (light heavy), Elly Ajowi  (heavy) and Victor Ombok (super heavy).

The federation also selected the second team that will represent Kenya in the World Boxing Championships in Azerbaijan from September 24 to October 8.

The global championships will also be a qualifier for London Olympic Games.

The team include Matayo Keya (light fly), Simon Mulinge (fly), Martin Oduor   (bantam), Musa Gitonga (light), Paul Mwaura (light welter), Nick Abaka (welter), Vincent Otieno (middle), Daniel Shisia and Daniel Mucheru (light heavy), Aziz Ali and Charles Okoth (heavy) and Peter Opudi   (super heavy).

The Pan-African Games team start residential training at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, next month.

They will be coached by Nakuru ABC coach Carlos Muthee Mwangi Police deputy coach George ‘Foreman’ Onyango.

Federation secretary general Isaac Mbote will be the team manager.

The two selections were done after the conclusion of the third leg of the National Boxing League in Mombasa last weekend.

Armed Forces won the leg with 21 points followed by defending champions Kenya Police 18 points, Kenya Prisons 16, hosts Coast eight, Nairobi four and Ndenderu one point.

Amateur Boxing Association vice chairman Albert Matito said the team for the World Boxing Championships is not the final one.

He said players who excel and win medals at the Pan African Games might be considered for the World Boxing Championships.

The Azerbaijan bound team would jet out of Nairobi on September 22, two days before the tournament.

Meanwhile, secretary general Isaac Mbote said the executive committee meets on July 19 at Nyayo National Stadium to deliberate on forthcoming international assignments.

He said he had written letters inviting all eligible members on this meeting, which he described as ‘very crucial’.

Mbote said players who will travel to Maputo might miss the fourth leg of the league since they will be in residential training.

It will be held in Nanyuki from August 18-20.