Equipment worth over $20,000 including a new ring and 150 pairs of gloves now the property of Mombasa County Boxing Association
In a colourful ceremony spiced with roasted meat and a cocktail of drinks, the French Swahili-speaking Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia, Arnaud Suquet, handed over boxing equipment worth over $20,000 to Kenya’s Mombasa County on Saturday, June 21, at the Alliance Francaise in the leafy suburb of Nyali.
The momentous occasion was also graced by the down-to-earth Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir who was the chief guest.
Amid a chorus of chants and ululations, the Secretary-General of Mombasa County Boxing Association (MCBA) Chris Onyango received the equipment on behalf of the national body, Boxing Federation of Kenya, marking another giant leap forward in BFK’s pet project Ndondi Mashinani aimed at developing boxing from the grassroots in what is a concerted effort to groom the next generation of Kenyan boxing champions.
Addressing the well attended function, which was also a celebration of 50 years anniversary of Alliance Francaise in Mombasa, the French Ambassador, who was loudly applauded for his fluent Swahili, said they were proud to be associated with the progress of boxing in Kenya.
The Kenya-France partnership was initiated by Chris Onyango and the director of Alliance Francaise, Lucas Malcor.
A delighted Onyango thanked the French Embassy for the kind gesture which he said will boost the Ndondi Mashinani project.
“It’s not easy to get sponsorship but I’m happy on behalf of BFK we have succeeded in Mombasa under the able leadership of our President Jamal (Anthony Otieno Ombok),” said Onyango.
“Some of the equipment will be distributed to various clubs in Mombasa while we have the other equipment for use in preparing Mombasa County for our completions. Lack of proper equipment is a big problem facing us in the Coast Region, I call upon more sponsors to emulate the French Embassy.Soon we will start renovation of Changamwe Community Centre, that will be the main training hall of our combined county team.” ⁹
Malcor also appealed to major organisations in Kenya to come on board to support boxing development in Mombasa.
“We’ve played our part, I now call upon more partners to join us assist Mombasa produce more great boxers,” said Malcor.
The equipment includes 150 pairs of gloves, punch bags, gum shields , head guards and two new rings, one is the normal standard size and a small one for use in schools boxing.
Among BFK’s honchos in attendance in Saturday’s function included national boxing head coach Musa Benjamin, his deputy David Munuhe and Competition Secretary John Waweru. The trio conducted a very successful National Coaching Course that earned them thumbs up from the participants for their wealth of boxing knowledge and eloquence in imparting knowledge on the two-fisted combat.
Also in attendance was BFK’s Chairman of the R&J Commission Nelson Otieno, the chief facilitator for the National R&J Course and retired international judge Mwangi Muthoga.
The next phase of the Kenya-France boxing cooperation is the second leg of the Kenya National Boxing League from July 17-19. Alliance Francaise will sponsor the event by catering for travel and accommodation expenses for the officials and a token of appreciation for the finalists in the three-day league that will pit among others Kenya’s boxing giants, defending champions KDF and Kenya Open champions Police Boxing Club.
Drums of war are already beating as the two rival clubs prepare for an explosive exchange of fire in Kenya’s port city of Mombasa.
