Hit Squad head coach, Benjamin Musa believes the vibrant team of 13 junior boxers picked from the national trials will make the country proud in Spain.
Spain will host the IBA Youth 2022 World Boxing Championships in the city of Alicante region in La Nucía.
The boxers will flex muscles at the Ciudad Deportiva Camilo Cano Arena from November 14-26.
“We have selected a very young team for the championship. Our boxers, who range between 17 and 18 years, showed a lot of potential to do well in Spain. I must say the national trials went according to plan,” Musa said.
He conceded that a lot still needs to be done to refine the rudimentary skills of the budding boxers.
“We noticed we shall have to work on the technical and tactical aspects. I believe the few days we have for preparation will be enough to polish them up before our trip to Spain,” said Musa.
The boxers — ten boys and three girls — were selected following a three-day trials exercise at the Jericho Social Hall in Nairobi.
Both Musa and his deputy David Munuhe conducted the comprehensive selection process, with boxers drawn from Nairobi, Laikipia, Prisons, G44 Boxing Club, Dallas Boxing Club, Police, Siaya, Kibra Boxing Club, Kajiado and Kisumu.
Speaking in Spain last week, IBA President Umar Kremlev said the show would provide a perfect opportunity for the world to identify the next generation of boxers.
‘Many of the fans have witnessed our youth boxers at the various continental tournaments, and it’s time they proved themselves on the international stage,” Kremlev said.
“Some of the boxers might well become superstars of our sport, and this is a unique moment to see their first steps towards elite boxing. This is a great opportunity to discover new talents and show passion for our sport.”
Kremlev thanked the Spanish Boxing Federation for working hard to make the tournament a success. Spanish Boxing Federation president, Felipe Martinez, said he was eager to welcome athletes from around the world to his home country.
‘We are excited about the challenge of hosting such an important competition that has never been held in Spain before,” Martinez said.
“We know that these are going to be intense months, but both my team and I are willing to put the best of ourselves to achieve success as hosts. It should become a great finishing touch for the 100 years of the life of our Federation,” he said.
Full Team: Diouf Muimi (48kg), Emmanuel Peter (51kg), Dennis Muiya (54kg), Wycliff Jesere (59kg), Joshua Cliffe (60kg), Meshack Abednego (63.5kg), Jared Omondi (67kg), Francis Ongeta (71kg) and Douglas Muiya (86kg), Juliet Akinyi, Immaculate Atieno, Faith Nafuna, Jane Wangari.