The government should do more to inspire boxing culture, rallies Akinyi

Hit squad pugilist Elizabeth Akinyi says the Kenyan government needs to do more to recognize local boxers, as is the case for other countries.

According to the light heavyweight fighter, pugilists in other countries are well appreciated, a feat that helps them to fight for top honours.

 “The Government has not fully recognised our effort. In other countries boxers are treated like patriots and their welfare is well taken care of,” said Akinyi.

The boxer says only a few boxers can go far in Kenya since they are employed only to fight on behalf of their organizations.

The pugilist says it has come to a situation where most Kenyan boxers engage in different side hustles to make ends meet, as opposed to their counterparts who are employed and are fully engaged in training.

Akinyi in the meantime has encouraged young aspiring boxers to be aggressive in training, saying boxing is a sport that requires full-time fitness.

She has dispelled fears that boxing is an injury-prone sport, saying it is all about training and concentration.

‘’ I have been a boxer for a long time now. This sport is advanced unlike in the past where injury was like the order of the day.

“With modern skills and proper training, boxing is a safe sport.''

Elizabeth has represented Kenya in different competitions, including the African Zone Three competitions, the last Olympic qualifiers held in Senegal, and the All-African Games.

She has rallied the government can invest heavily on matters boxing; Kenya can still gain its lost glory.

She remembers the days when Patrick Waweru and David Kamau won gold medals at the fourth All Africa Games.

Akinyi says those were the days when boxers were valued and in return, they represented the country well and brought home medals.

 The issue of poor judging against Kenya boxers surfaced recently in Kinshasa in the DR Congo.

Hit squad captain Elizabeth Andiego bitterly complained after the fight, saying the decision of the judges to award Moroccan fighter Larti Hassan the win on split decision was unfair.

 ‘’I gave my all. I dominated the fight throughout and I don’t know how the judges arrived at their decision,’’ she added.