GOOD NEWS FOR MOMBASA BOXERS AND COACHES
▪️ Alliance Francaise Director Lucas Melcor announces a training camp for 18 Mombasa boxers next month to be conducted by French former European champion.
French former European light-welterweight champion Franck Petitjean and a top trainer will conduct a five-day training camp for 18 Mombasa boxers next month.
Announcing the good news, the Director of Alliance Francaise cultural centre in Mombasa Lucas Melcor said Petitjean, who is also a four-time French champion, will be assisted by one of the best physical trainers in France Valentin Gargiulo. Petitjean relinquished his European title to Britain’s Adam Azim who stopped the French boxer in the 10th round in November, 2023.
Petitjean and Gargiulo will prepare the boxers to represent Mombasa County in the second leg of the Kenya National Boxing League to be held at the Alliance Francaise from July 17-19.
Melcor was interviewed by boxersworld.co.ke on a wide range of issues on their cooperation with Mombasa County Boxing Association. He first dwells more on the training camp for the 18 boxers.
*Melcor:* From July 9th to 13th, thanks to the French club, Gloves Academy situated near Paris, a training camp will be organized at the Alliance Française in Mombasa for 18 boxers from the Coast. It will be led by Franck Petitjean (French professional boxer, European champion, and four-time French champion) and Valentin Gargiulo, one of the best French physical trainers, specializing in combat sports. He has notably trained the kickboxing legend, the French-Cameroonian Cédric Doumbé, a seven-time world champion. Franck and Valentino have decided to take 10 days off their busy schedule and will come to Mombasa to volunteer to share their expertise. They will help prepare the boxers for the second leg of the Kenya National Boxing League to take place at the Alliance Française from July 17th to 19th . Huge thanks to them. Mombasa coaches will also benefit from the training camp as they’ll be allowed to attend and pick a few coaching tips from the visitors.
*Q:* As part of the Ndondi Mashinani program, there are plans to equip boxing clubs in Mombasa. Can you tell us more?
*A:* Yes, the lack of equipment is a barrier to boxing progress in Mombasa especially equipment suitable for children and women. Practicing this sport without the right equipment exposes boxers to short and long-term risks. We therefore invested more than Ksh 2,5 million to purchase equipment in including gloves, headgear, chest protectors, mouthguards, groin guards, hand wraps, and more.
*Q:* Where did you purchase the equipment?
*A:* We bought the equipment in France.We chose to order from Wettle Gear, the official supplier of the French boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai federations. Wettle Gear’s equipment, particularly the boxing gloves, was designed by athletes and tested by top champions. The products are renowned for their durability, which was our primary criterion, as we know this equipment will be used extensively in Mombasa. We thank Wettle Gear for their support. The equipment will remain the property of Mombasa County Boxing Association and will be under the responsibility of the representatives of the affiliated clubs.
*Q:* In addition to the gloves and protective equipment, are any other acquisitions planned?
*A:* Yes, MCBA didn’t have their own ring. The lack of a boxing ring is hindering the development of this sport in Mombasa and Coast Region as a whole. We have therefore bought two rings: one that meets international standards and will host local and national competitions. The second one is a mobile ring, small and easily transportable. This ring will be used by MCBA coaches to work in schools as part of the Ndondi Mashinani awareness program. Furthermore, each club in Mombasa will be equipped with a punching bag which was manufactured locally. The official hand over will take place on June 21st in the presence of the Ambassador of France to Kenya, Arnaud Suquet, and representatives from Mombasa County.
*Q:* Could you tell us more about the birth of this partnership between the Alliance Française and the Mombasa County?
*A:* This project was born from a meeting in a gym between Chris Onyango, the secretary general of Mombasa County Boxing Association and myself Lucas Malcor. I’m the director of the Alliance Française. The French government is investing heavily to develop sport in France. France is a huge sporting nation.
In order to celebrate the Paris Olympic Games, the Alliance Française and the French Embassy wanted to strengthen cooperation between France and Kenya in the field of sport and was looking to start an impactful project. The choice was made to focus on boxing development in Mombasa.
