By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
NATIONAL boxing coach Kennedy Kanyanta is frustrated with the lack of preparations ahead of the 2015 All Africa Games (AAG) to be staged in Congo
Brazzaville in September.
Kanyanta said yesterday that there have been no indications as to when preparations would start for the both male and female pugilists he summoned in his 27-member provisional team.
He said it would be difficult for him to qualify boxers to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the absence of adequate preparations especially that All Africa Games will act as qualifiers for next year’s games.
“We are a stronghold when it comes to boxing in the region and it is very unfortunate that while our friends in other countries have been preparing for the Zone five tournament which will be a good platform to assess the boxers before the final team is picked, ourselves still don’t know when we will go into camp” Kanyanta said.
He said the current scenario poses a serious threat to Zambia’s bid to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games.

. Kanyanta

Kanyanta said the boxers cannot perform wonders if the Zambia Boxing Federation (ZBF) does not arrange camping for the boxers.
“I don’t want to be part of an arrangement where boxers come from home to take part in a tournament. I don’t want mere participants but rather competitors because I know how tough it is to compete at a high level having done so before.
“My appeal to the stakeholders is that they should come on board to support the team. We can do great things if we are given the necessary attention but with such a situation, people should not expect a lot from us,” he said.
ZBF general secretary Ceaser Musukwa could not be reached for a comment as his mobile phones were unreachable.