WHY MOST AFRICAN COUNTRIES FLOP IN WORLD BOXING TOURNEY
Morocco once again emerged as the most successful African country in the Women’s World Boxing Championships in Serbia.
The Moroccans topped Africa by placing seventh overall with a gold from bantamweight Widad Bertal and light-heavyweight Hasnae Larti’s bronze medal behind winners Russia followed by Kazakhstan and Turkey in third place.
It was a repeat performance by Morocco who also won gold and bronze at the 2023 Women’s Worlds in India to finish sixth overall behind winners India, China and Russia in that order.
In an interview with boxersworld.co.ke, Morocco’s team manager Nabil Hilmi said they owe their success to the overwhelming support from the government which closely monitors their performance in major international events. For instance, after what the government described as Morocco’s dismal performance at the Paris Olympics, the entire technical bench was sent home and in came Cuba’s experienced Juan Carlos Maestre as the head coach. He’s handling a highly motivated team.
“The Morocco government in general and the ministry support us in our projects and our vision on how to improve boxing,” says Nabil.
He further elaborates on their preparations before the Serbia Worlds.
“Before going to Serbia, we first prepared in Casablanca then we participate in the Belgrade International Tournament. After Belgrade, we had a training camp in Montenegro for three weeks with other teams like Serbia and Turkey.
“Our team is also disciplined, dedicated and motivated largely because the government inspires our boxers.”
Kenya’s head coach Musa Benjamin explains their inability to rise up to the occasion which resonates with other underperforming African countries.
Says Musa: “Lack of serious competitions at home and the continent at large is clear.This is why countries like Morocco, Algeria,Tunisia are always in Europe for training and competitions.”
The Kenyan coach says owing to lack of exposure and regular competitions some African boxers such as three in his team and Zimbabwe made their international debut in the World Championships fighting against better exposed and well prepared boxers.
Musa went on: “You cannot coach experience. Whatever you coach/teach/train a boxer if not put in practice (competition) will never stick.
When done with driving school, then you don’t get a car to continue driving, the training becomes useless!”
Against such background, one would ask is there any need to enter half-baked teams in such high level tournaments?
“Certainly it’s useful to take our girls there,” says Musa, “because this is the only exposure they get, if we don’t take part where else will they be exposed?.”
Musa says there’s potential in Kenya and Africa as a whole but without proper preparations, African teams especially those south of Sahara will not excel at the big stage.
“Without training camps where all daily sessions can be realised, exposure and many tournaments in Africa, competing at this high level becomes difficult.
Exposure is mandatory.The last time our Kenyan boxers participated in a serious tournament was October last year in DRC in the Africa Championships compared to the European and Asian boxers who are constantly in action in their busy calendar of events. Locally, we don’t have depth so competition isn’t stiff resulting to complacency and standards going down.”
Zimbabwe’s head coach Alexander Kwangwari was satisfied with the performance of his three debutants in the Women’s Worlds, flyweight Agnes Kwashi, featherweight Lovelight Fusire and lightweight Hildah Kaye.
“I’m proud of my girls because they were new in the World Boxing Championships but we promise that next time when we get another chance we will make it,” says Kwangwari.
“My boxers gained a lot of knowledge but compared to what I saw in Serbia, we’re not very far from the European and Asian boxers. I thank the IBA for their support.”
Interestingly, the leaders of the two wrangling factions in African boxing have not issued any comprehensive statement on Africa’s show in Serbia and way forward. They’re busy battling for power oblivious of the boxers’ needs. Don’t be surprised if they didn’t watch a single session in Serbia. Their scope is limited as usual.
Most important however is the support of African governments for success in the global events. Catering for travel expenses, allowances and accommodation is commendable but without physically getting involved in the teams’ preparations – a vital component for success – is akin to building a house on quicksand without a strong foundation.
