Hit Squad head coach Benjamin Musa has warned veteran boxers they risk losing their spot in the national team if they don't work hard enough to counter emerging talent.
The tactician made the remarks in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, a week after the National Boxing League concluded in Nakuru County.
"There is a very high possibility of having new faces in the national team from next year considering how some young boxers performed during the five rounds of the national league," Musa said.
"We saw the emergence of new players who succeeded in challenging seasoned boxers. We witnessed new counties such as Vihiga and Trans Nzoia emerging from the shadows and troubling traditional giants like Kenya Prisons."
To increase the chances of playing for the national team, Musa encouraged boxers across the country to train hard and compete as much as they can.
"We will start identifying boxers for our national team in January and everything will be done on merit. There is a need to give young people the opportunity to fill the gap that has been left by retired boxers like Nick Okoth," Musa said.
Musa said their first mission next year will be in Tanzania where they will deploy a blend of youth and experience.
"Our first job in the new year will be in Tanzania at the East and Central Elite and Youth Boxing championship. Priority will be given to our young players, who were unable to travel to Spain for the World Youth Championship due to a lack of funds. We shall also travel with the Kenya Police boxing team, who won the National Boxing League," Musa said.
Meanwhile, Musa has bemoaned the reduction of the African quota at the Olympic games by the International Olympic Committee which will in turn harm Kenya's chances at the grandest stage.
"We have a tough and demanding program next year because there will be Olympic qualifiers. But the competition for Olympic slots will be at another level because the International Olympic Committee has reduced the number of slots reserved for Africa," said Musa.
The IOC will only accept boxers who win gold in the continental qualifiers.
The Olympic Federation has narrowed the field to seven male and six female boxers.
"That's how hard it is. This decision is killing the spirit of the Olympics which is about participation. Initially, they took the top three boxers in each group when qualification was still done by the International Boxing Federation (IBA)," Musa said.
