Hit Squad head coach Benjamin Musa has reiterated his desire to identify fresh talent with the amulet to steer the country to unprecedented glory.
The tactician said there was a need to nurture a new breed of pugilists who could successfully step into the shoes of ageing national team boxers.
Musa said he had learned the hard way after he experienced difficulties replacing celebrated Kenyan pugilists Nick Okoth and Elly Ajowi who opted to call time on their careers last year.
The seasoned coach, who guided the nation at the just concluded African Games in Ghana, said he would forage through the country to identify a new pool of proficient boxers.
“It was not easy finding boxers to step into their shoes when they quit the ring. That’s why we are doing all we can to ensure a seamless metamorphosis by encouraging the rise of a new breed of boxers,” Musa stated.
With that in mind, Musa has warned Hit Squad members not to rest on their laurels as competition for national team slots heightens ahead of forthcoming contests.
“We shall hold the Kenya Open boxing championships next week, where we intend to select boxers who will represent us in the upcoming competitions. We have the Mandela Cup in South Africa next month and the second world Olympic qualifiers in Thailand later on,” Musa stated.
“Nobody is guaranteed a slot in the national team anymore because doing so would bring about complacency which could be detrimental to the nation’s performance on the global front,” he added.
Musa hailed Edwin Okong’o for exhibiting a master-class act at the African Games in Accra, Ghana where he clinched the gold medal in the 75kgs weight division.
“His performance superseded expectations and we are happy for him because he has worked extremely hard to accomplish what he did,” Musa remarked.
“I believe other youths will draw a lot of inspiration from his landmark achievement. We need such boxers to motivate the next generation of Kenyan fighters,” he added.
