As Kenya prepares to host the Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships, a sense of anxiety looms over the national boxing team, famously known as the 'Hit Squad.' Despite the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) confirming government funding for the event, concerns persist regarding adequate preparation and resources for the Kenyan pugilists. The championships are scheduled to take place at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in Nairobi, from Wednesday, October 16, to Thursday, October 24, 2025.

National team head coach Musa Benjamin has openly expressed frustrations over the lack of a proper residential training camp, a critical component for optimal athlete performance. He noted that the absence of sufficient funding has hindered the full implementation of their training programme. While the BFK announced that boxers would begin residential training at the Police Deport Hall in Nairobi, the delay in establishing a consistent camp has been a point of concern.

Historical and Political Context

Kenya is hosting the Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships for the first time in two decades, with the last regional competition being the Zone 5 Championships at Kasarani Gymnasium in 2005. This event marks a significant return of high-level regional boxing to the country. Boxing Federation of Kenya President Anthony 'Jamal' Otieno lauded President William Samoei Ruto's government for approving and committing to fund the tournament, expressing hope that boxers would receive similar incentives to those recently awarded to footballers.

Laws/Policy and Governance

The Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships are sanctioned by the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) and the International Boxing Association (IBA). The BFK, under President Anthony Otieno, is responsible for the organisation and logistical aspects of the tournament. The government's commitment to funding, as stated by Otieno, underscores a policy of supporting sports, though the execution of this support in terms of timely and adequate resources for athlete preparation remains a challenge.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

The 'Hit Squad' comprises a 35-member squad, including 23 men and 12 women, featuring seasoned campaigners like Elizabeth Andiego, Lorna Kusa, and Shaffi Bakari. Middleweight gold medallist Edwin Okong'o and Africa Boxing Championships light middleweight champion Boniface Mogunde are among the experienced boxers aiming for the overall title. Debutantes like bantamweight Christopher Musyoki and featherweight Paul Omondi are also part of the team, expressing readiness and confidence. However, coach Musa Benjamin's frustrations highlight a disconnect between the federation's ambitions and the practical support provided to the athletes.

Evidence/Data

The Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships will feature 14 member countries, with at least eight having confirmed participation, including DR Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Somalia, and hosts Kenya. Uganda is fielding a team of 16 boxers, comprising 11 men and 5 women. DR Congo, the defending champions from the 2021 and 2022 editions held in Kinshasa, will be a formidable opponent. Kenya finished runners-up in the last edition. The tournament will also serve as preparation for the World Men Boxing Championships scheduled for November.

Risks/Implications

The anxieties surrounding preparation could impact Kenya's performance, potentially jeopardising their goal of reclaiming regional supremacy on home soil. While Kenya will field two teams, leveraging home advantage, inadequate training could undermine this benefit. The lack of consistent residential training, as voiced by coach Benjamin, could affect team cohesion and individual boxer conditioning.

Unknowns and Controversies

The exact details of the government's funding allocation for the team's preparation, beyond the hosting of the tournament, remain unclear. The discrepancy between the BFK's assurances of government support and the coach's concerns about resource scarcity points to potential internal challenges within the boxing federation. The initial schedule for the championships was adjusted due to the Kasarani Indoor Arena being booked for another event, leading to a change in the kick-off date.

Timeline and Next Steps

The Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships will run from Wednesday, October 16, to Thursday, October 24, 2025. Draws for the participating countries are expected to be conducted shortly after all teams have arrived. The tournament is free for all Kenyan boxing fans, with the BFK President Anthony Otieno stating that the event will be livestreamed daily.

What to Watch

All eyes will be on Kenya's 'Hit Squad' as they aim to dethrone defending champions DR Congo and secure the overall title. The performance of experienced boxers like Elizabeth Andiego, Lorna Kusa, Shaffi Bakari, Edwin Okong'o, and Boniface Mogunde will be crucial. The championships will also be a platform for emerging talent and a key indicator of Kenya's readiness for upcoming global boxing events. The effectiveness of the BFK's logistical arrangements and the impact of the home crowd support will also be closely watched.

Related Stories

• Kenya to host Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Championships from October 16-19, 2025, at Moi International Aquatics Stadium, Kasarani.
• Kenyan boxers competed in the 2025 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Nis, Serbia, in March 2025.