Kenya’s national boxing team, the Hit Squad, is poised for a transformation under the guidance of head coach Benjamin Musa. Despite a historic setback in failing to send a boxer to the premier quadrennial global showpiece for the first time in sixty years, Musa is optimistic about the future and has ambitious plans to revitalize the team.
In a recent interview, Musa reflected on the lessons learned from Kenya’s unsuccessful attempts at the Olympic qualifiers and outlined a strategy for rebuilding a more competitive squad. “We’ll be back bigger and stronger. We learned several lessons during the many failed attempts at the Olympic qualifiers, and we are confident we will use them to launch a more competitive squad,” he said.
The seasoned coach emphasized the need to address the factors that led to Kenya’s absence from the 2024 Paris Games. “Unfortunately, we failed to send boxers to the 2024 Paris Games, which attracted much criticism. However, some factors must be addressed for the nation to register a better outcome in the next qualifiers. We have keenly studied the situation and believe we now have the answers,” Musa stated.
One of the key strategies Musa plans to implement is a thorough search for new talent within the Boxing Federation of Kenya competitions. “Nobody is guaranteed a slot on the national team, and we are encouraging our boxers in the league to fight hard for the slots. The selection window is now open, and we will give everyone a chance because we are seeking to build a winning outfit,” he explained.
Musa also called on the government to increase funding for boxing tournaments to boost the nation’s medal potential. “Traveling with full squads will increase our chances of qualifying and bagging more tournament medals. We hope to secure more funds in the future,” he said.
The Hit Squad’s head coach remains confident that with these measures in place, Kenyan boxing enthusiasts can look forward to a brighter future. Musa’s commitment to overhauling the team and his focus on quality talent selection are expected to enhance Kenya’s performance on the global stage.
As the Hit Squad prepares for upcoming competitions, the hope is that Musa’s vision and dedication will translate into success, restoring Kenya’s reputation in the world of boxing and bringing glory to the nation.
