The Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK), has postponed the Kenya Open Boxing Championships originally scheduled for next month.
The local governing body made the decision after realising that the dates set aside for the competition coincide with the Africa Zone III Boxing Championships in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania.
That is, according to a statement from BFK communications director Duncan Kuria. "BFK regret to announce the postponement of Kenya Open earlier scheduled for April 6-8," the statement read in part.
"This is because the dates of the Open coincides with the Africa Zone 3 Championships."
The secretary-general of the 14-member regional body, Lukelo Willilo, said six countries have confirmed participation in the Zone 3 event that will take place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium from April 11-18.
Hosts Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Cameroon, DRC, Burundi and Equatorial Guinea are among the countries expected for the event.
Willilo, who also doubles up as the president of the Boxing Federation of Tanzania, further revealed that the 1-Star coaches, referees, and judges course will be held concurrently with the Zone 3 tournament.
"We are still waiting for IBA to confirm the dates but the course is definitely on," he said.
The national boxing team, Hit Squad, will hope to replicate their feat in the preceding two championships held in Kinshasa, Congo.
A vintage performance last year saw the 22-member contingent return to the country with 18 medals, including six gold, five silver, and seven bronze.
It was a marked improvement from the 2021 edition, where only heavyweight pugilist Elly Ajowi capped off his career with a coveted gold as Kenya's Hit Squad plundered a whopping 13 medals — a gold, five silver, and seven bronze medals.
Three female pugilists Elizabeth Andiego (light-heavy), Evelyne Akinyi (welterweight), and Teresia Wanjiru (light-welterweight) pulverised their opponents on their way to the winner's podium.
David Karanja (fly), Samuel Njau (feather) and Shaffi Bakari Hassan (bantam) secured gold in the men's category.
The country's female boxers are eager to save the blush in the forthcoming tournament after recording a dismal performance at the just concluded IBA World Boxing Championships in India.
During the premier global warming championships, only one Kenyan pugilist, Elizabeth Andiego, managed to advance past the preliminaries, albeit on the strength of a bye.
