Africa Zone 3 heavyweight champion Elly Ajowi has challenged budding boxers to justify their desire to don the national team colours.
Ajowi was reacting to calls by a section of boxing enthusiasts who have since challenged the current crop of Hit Squad members to pave way for a more vibrant and energetic generation with the vigour to effectively deliver titles and medals.
“What these people are forgetting is that we battled tooth and nail to secure slots to represent the country at the just concluded Tokyo Olympics, nobody did us any favour.
“In fact, contrary to popular belief that we were handpicked to represent Kenya, people should know we were holding brief for the entire African continent after defeating our opponents in the qualifiers. Kenya merely sponsored our trip to Tokyo,” said Ajowi.
Ajowi reiterated he would still be around to defend his titles as he continues to train his sight on more global glory.
“The rule of thumb is that amateur boxers ought to hang up gloves once they clock 40 years. Why would anyone want me to retire from the game now when I’m still young enough to win more titles?”
Ajowi said he will continue to punch furiously on the bag and possibly take a stab at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games that will be held from July 28 to August 8.
“I’ve already embarked on training at the Kenya Police Boxing Club gym and I hope I will secure a berth to represent the country at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK.”
The National Police Service officer said he came out of the Tokyo Olympics with his head held high given he had done his best at the battlefront.
“I believe I gave the Tokyo Olympics my best shot. It is important to note that I was in the ring with three-time gold medalist and there is no way I was going to have it any easy,” said Ajowi.
“We lacked sufficient exposure prior to the games. Our opponents had traveled extensively by the time they were coming to fight us and that gave them an edge over us.
“Hit Squad needs more support from the government. Most of the time requests from Boxing Federation of Kenya to have the team sponsored for training trips by government always fall through.
“We also need adequate structures that will make it easier for the national team coaches to tap into the large pool of talent at the grassroots. All these can be achieved within the next few years.
Ajowi said the country was set for greater things given we now have a proactive federation with a hands-on president (Anthony “Jamal” Ombok).
“The fact that our boxers have already amassed more than 10 medals from the time he took charge a couple of years ago is a clear testimony of his leadership abilities,” said Ajowi.
