Officiating too has not gone down well with some countries especially when facing Algerian boxers
Kenya’s teenage boxers, Sonia Atieno and Lukeman Shaffi, are not amused with the food provided in the ongoing African School Games in Annaba, Algeria.
National team head coach Musa Benjamin told boxersworld.co.ke the food is inadequate for the nutritional needs of the boxers that at times he’s forced to buy them food from outside the Games Village.
“Mostly we’re served tasteless rice, salad and tasteless half-cooked fish fillet that they all couldn’t eat but on paper it looks appetising,” said Musa.
Musa pointed out it’s not only the Kenyans complaining on bad food but almost the entire teams in Annaba are finding it difficult coping up with what’s served in the dining hall. Some teams like Uganda are preparing their own food.
“Ugandans are smart they are cooking their own food,” said Musa who also expressed concern on biased officiating mostly skewed in favour of Algerian boxers.
A video footage shows a Tunisian boxer bitterly shedding tears after being robbed of victory against an Algerian boxer.
“The Tunisian boxer broke window panes in anger,” said Musa.
The footage also shows an Egyptian official walking out of the boxing hall in protest.
In the 66kg men, for instance, four Algerian and one Tunisian judge were in charge. DR Congo’s Nzengo Pembele lost 5-0 to Tunisia’s Ben Haj Khalid. How the Tunisian judge officiated is difficult to comprehend instead of a judge from a neutral country.
In addition to Tunisia and Egypt, the biased officiating has also affected DR Congo, Eswatini and Ghana.
Commenting on the issue of Sonia Atieno who has no opponent at light-welterweight, Musa said from the look of things she will return home without entering the ring.
“Unfortunately Sonia won’t be awarded a medal since she was the only one in her weight category,” said Musa, adding: “According to the organisers, World Boxing isn’t clear yet about this kind of situation. We are actually yet to get WB technical and competition rules.
“She was really disappointed, shedding tears on learning she wasn’t going to fight but I have calmed her down she has accepted the reality, and it’s not her mistake to be the only entrant in her weight class.”
The Kenyan coach is impressed by Lukeman Shaffi’s confidence ahead of Friday’s final 46kg against Algeria’s Hesnaoui Mohamed Amine.
“He’s surprisingly at ease and composed just waiting to fight,” said Musa.
“We are trying to get him add some weight.Lukeman was to box in the 44kg maximun but on arrival here they changed to 46kg to accommodate their boy.”
On the general standards, Musa noted the North African boxers have an edge.
“The North Africans are generally good having invested heavily in boxing development. Special mention to Algerian 63kg Ben Mouh,” said Musa who feels there’s need for emphasis on junior and youth boxing in Africa.
“There needs to be more structured competitions in Africa beginning with 14yr olds and below,15-16yr olds and 17-18yr olds if we are to bridge the huge gap with Europe, Asia and Americas.”
