Bare-knuckle ‘Hit Squad’ can hardly pack a punch
Kenya middleweight boxer Elizabeth Andiego takes a break from training at the Madison Square Garden gymnasium in Nakuru on March 7, 2018 ahead of next month’s Commonwealth Games in Australia. The team is without basic training equipment, including gloves. PHOTO | FRANCIS MUREITHI |
What you need to know:
- Team forced to beg for gloves from Nakuru boxing.
- Kenya’s 11 boxers check into Nakuru camp but find no training gear to use.
Kenya’s national boxing team — the “Hit Squad” — started their residential training for next month’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Madison Square Garden, Nakuru, on the wrong footing.
The 11-strong team, which comprises seven men and four women did not have training gear on day one on Tuesday.
The training squad includes 11 sparring partners who will be camping at the popular club for three weeks.
They will fly out of the country on March 24 but are yet to be provided with essential training equipment such as gloves.
The squad needs at least 22 gloves which include 16 ounces (or 453.6grammes) gloves for sparring and 12 ounces (340.2grammes) gloves for the 11 boxers who will be travelling to Australia.
They also lack training track suits, shoes, head gears and T-shirts among others.
The teams had to beg for three gloves and head gears from an equally depleted hosts Nakuru Amateur Boxing Club.
The vice-president of Boxing Association of Kenya (BAK) Albert Matito who is also the team manager confirmed that the team has not received any training kit.
“The boys are unable to do sparring as they are supposed to do ahead of a major competition and this is slowing down our preparations,” said Matito.
He added: “If a boxer gets a cut it might affect their training program and that is why we need them (training gear) urgently,” said Matito.
At the same time, the Kenya Commonwealth Games steering committee has not disbursed money for the hotel maintenance and payment of the hall for training. Five coaches namely Patrick Maina, Patrick “Mont” Waweru, Sammy Magima, George “Foreman” Onyango and Mike Wanjohi are handling the team.
KENYA BOXERS
Women - Elizabeth Andiego (middleweight), Lorna Kusa Simbi (welter), Christine Ongare (fly), Veronica Mbithe (light fly)
Men - Shaffi Bakari (light fly), Elly Ajowi (heavy), Brian Agina ( fly), Nick Abaka (light heavy), Edwin Okong’o (middle), Nick Okoth (light weight), Benson Njagiru Gicharu (bantam)
