‘Hit Squad’ coach Musa impressed with ‘quality competition in league’, warns national team slots not guaranteed

The national boxing team head coach Benjamin Musa says he hopes to get new players to join the national team 'Hit Squad' having been impressed with the quality of competition in the first and second rounds of the Kenya National League held in Vihiga and Siaya counties respectively.

Musa, who was at Karapul Catholic Church Hall in Siaya County over the weekend to witness the second leg of the league, has warned the current national team players to tighten their gloves as their positions are at risk.

“I had an opportunity to take a look at potential national team boxers from various counties, including Siaya, Vihiga and Nairobi, who displayed a good game and I think this kind of competition provides a good platform for us to easily identify quality boxers for upcoming outings of the national team,” he said. “The resilience and confidence in the boxers comes through participating in competitions frequently.”

The national boxing team coach also reckons that the promising pugilists will also need to make adjustments in their game before they are ripe for national duties.

"I’m utterly bewildered by the emergence of gifted boxers but we can still give them the much needed ring craft; that is a little polishing, and they will be strong to represent us well if they get an opportunity in the future," Musa said.

The Kenya Defence Forces’ team Defaba emerged as the overall winners of the second leg of the annual Boxing Federation of Kenya national league after collecting 26 points, one better than defending champions Kenya Police.  Nairobi County Boxing was third with 10 points, followed by Kibra who managed five.