The Africa Championship light-middleweight bronze medallist Boniface Mugunde has been appointed the new captain of the national boxing team, Hit Squad.
Mugunde, 29, takes over the reins from veteran pugilist Nick Okoth who announced his retirement late last year to take up a coaching role with the junior national team.
Mugunde has vowed to spearhead the Kenyan medal charge by ripping his opponents apart at the upcoming Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championships in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania.
The third edition of the premier regional showpiece will be staged at the William Mkapa indoor stadium from April 18-22.
"I have been named the national team captain by God's grace, and I'm grateful to the federation for honouring me with this exceptional privilege," Mugunde said.
"I'd like to thank our coaches for the good job they are doing for us and I promise to work closely with them to improve our performance in subsequent competitions," he continued.
Mugunde said he will use the Tanzania trip to sharpen his talons for the World Championship in Khazakstan.
"I give God praise for giving me the chance to join the team; It is never simple. We are well-prepared for the upcoming IBA World Boxing Championships in Kazakhstan and the Africa Zone 3 competition. I believe everyone is anticipating the World Championships, which are my main focus," Mugunde said.
He will be heading to Tanzania buoyed by the gold he clinched in March at the fourth edition of the annual Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) games in Kigali, Rwanda.
The hard-hitting puncher reckons the tournament provided him with the necessary edge to tear through the opposition in the upcoming regional contest.
"I feel I'm ready for the task ahead because it is only recently that I won a medal in Rwanda, where we attended the regional inter-police games."
Mugunde promised to punch vehemently for the title that eluded him in the previous edition of the yearly competition while acknowledging the fierce competition he anticipates ahead.
He believes that this time the team will take home the overall championship.
"Nothing worthwhile comes easily, so if one wants to succeed, he or she must give it their all. I won a bronze medal at the previous competition in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and I'm hoping for gold this time."
Mugunde is among the star-studded list of 21 boxers who were unveiled on Monday by head coach Benjamin Musa to fly the country's flag in Dar.
Five of the 21 boxers chosen—Abednego Kyalo (minimum weight), Steve Olang (welterweight), Robert Okaka (light heavyweight), Peter Abuti (heavyweight), and Emily Juma (flyweight) —will make their national team debuts.
David Karanja (flyweight), Shaffi Bakari (bantamweight), Samuel Njau (featherweight), and Elizabeth Andiego are the four reigning champions who have made the team (light heavyweight).
In the previous championship, which was held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Hit Squad came in second to the hosts with six gold, five silver and seven bronze medals.
