Take care after jab, boxers told
Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) has come out with a deliberate policy to protect members of the Tokyo Olympics squad and indeed all amateur pugilists in the country from contracting the coronavirus.
Communications Director Duncan “Sugar Ray” Kuria said the pandemic is real and urged all sportsmen and women in the country to undergo the Covid-19 vaccination to be on the safe side.
“The virus should be taken seriously. This is a pandemic which has afflicted many Kenyans, not least sportsmen.
Obviously, what the government did by introducing the vaccine is laudable and should be embraced by everybody.
Above all it’s important to observe the basic precaution measures,” said Kuria.
The official made the remarks even as he announced that in line with the government’s directive, BFK has overseen the vaccination of 10 officials and 16 boxers, among them four who have qualified for the Olympics penciled for July 23 to August 8.
Kuria said it would be in the best interests of the Kenyan amateur boxing governing body to send healthy boxers to the summer games to win medals for Kenya.
“You see, qualifying for the Olympics was no mean task. These are boxers who will be tasked with carrying the country’s banner and it’s thus prudent to keep them mentally and physically fit ahead of the prestigious event. It’s also our wish to protect the others who did not qualify from the virus,” said Kuria.
The officials who got the jab included BFK president Anthony “Jamal” Ombok, secretary general David Munuhu, communications director Duncan Kuria, Olympics team head coach Musa Benjamin and coach John Waweru.
The Olympic team members who went through the process were 2015 Africa Boxing Championships lightweight gold medalist Nick Okoth, now featuring in featherweight, heavyweight Elly Ajowi and female boxers in Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Chrstine Ongare and national lightweight champion Elizabeth Akinyi.
In the meantime, six boxers leave for Luanda, Vihiga, today morning for the burial of Fred Sabat, the father of Hit Squad member Hezron Maganga who clinched bronze at the recently concluded Africa Zone 3 Championships in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Pugilists include Joe Shigali, Edwin Okongo, Joshua Wasike, Victor Odhiambo, Ben Mugunde and George Ouma
The funeral comes only a day after bereaved BFK deputy president Isaac Mbote interred his late mother Emily Wangui Gaitho at Nakuru South Cemetery.
