Kenya boxers could train in Cuba ahead of Paris Olympics
HAVANA, May 25th Kenya´s Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba yesterday said plans are afoot to send the boxing team for training in Cuba ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Namwamba said during his recent visit to Cuba, his host had agreed to partner with Kenya as far as training boxers, volleyballers and sprints.
“We agreed that boxers will train in Cuba before flying directly to Paris,” he said. He said he believes the program will go a long way in preparing Kenyan boxers and athletes for the Olympic Games.
In a rejoinder, the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) lauded the government’s plan to send the national boxing team, Hit Squad, to Cuba for intensive training.
Benjamin Musa, BFK’s national treasurer, termed the plan a step in the right direction. Musa, who also serves as Hit Squad’s head coach, was optimistic the move would help lead the national team to unprecedented heights.
“We welcome the idea wholesome because it’s long overdue. This is something that should have been implemented long ago,” Musa said.
“We’ve discovered that all successful boxing nations compete in at least 20 competitions annually,” he added.
He said there is a need for more government assistance to the team if they are to realize their dream.
“Lack of finances has seen the competition of the local pugilists take a hit unlike the years gone by when Robert Wangila pounded his way to win the Olympic gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Games,” Musa said.
The development comes some months after Hit Squad was promised two high-profile international exhibition games by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya.
