Musa picks 13 boxers for World Youth Championship

Thirteen youthful boxers have been selected to represent Kenya in the forthcoming World Youth Championship in Spain, following a three-day trials exercise at the Jericho Social Hall - Nairobi.

The team of 10 boys and three girls will represent the country in La Nucía from November 14-26.

Head Coach Benjamin Musa and his deputy David Munuhe were overseers in the selection process, which  brought together boxers from Nairobi, Laikipia, Prisons,G44 Boxing Club, Dallas Boxing Club, Police, Siaya, Kibra Boxing Club,  Kajiado and Kisumu.

“We have selected a very young team of pugilists between the ages of 17 to 18. All went on well in the trials and they are very prospective which makes us believe they will do well in Spain. A bit lacking in technical and tactical aspects but with the few days we will have in our preparations we shall help them to get better,” said coach Benjamin Musa.

Meshack Abednego and Jane Wangare are among the selected pugilists.

“I thank God for the win, even for the chance to compete in the trials. I hope to come back with a medal from Spain, once we go to represent the country,” said Abednego who fifths in the 63.5kgs category.

Wangare on her part hopes Kenyans will  win medals and pick good lessons from the competition.

“It has not been easy to get this ticket because I really worked hard. We are looking forward to competing Europe to fight in my minimum category of 48kgs. I just want to come back as a world champion,” said Wangare.

This championship will become the first-ever global boxing event to be held in Spain as the Spanish Boxing Federation led by President Felipe Martinez turns 100 years.

1. Diouf Muimi 48kgs

2. Emmanuel Peter 51kgs

3. Dennis Muiya 54kgs

4. Wycliff Jesere 59kgs

5. Joshua Cliffe 60kgs

6. Meshack Abednego 63.5kgs

7. Jared Omondi 67kgs

8. Francis Ongeta 71kgs

9. Douglas Muiya 86kgs

10. Juliet Akinyi

11. Immaculate Atieno

12. Faith Nafuna