Kinoru Stadium to Host First Professional Boxing Championship in Meru CountyMigori Youth FC Appoints Sammy Okoth as New Head Coach

MERU COUNTY — Kinoru Stadium is gearing up to host its first professional boxing championship on March 16, marking a significant milestone in Kenyan sports. The event, which features Kenya’s star boxer and former Africa Champion Daniel Wanyonyi, as well as Charity ‘Scary’ Mukami, is set to draw participants from across the globe, including the United States, Scotland, Namibia, Tanzania, England, Uganda, and Nigeria.

According to Kenya News Agency, the championship, dubbed ‘Shujaa wa Mashujaa,’ aims not only to showcase boxing talent but also to raise awareness about teenage pregnancy in Meru County and support local educational initiatives.

The collaboration between Lion Heart Boxing Promotions, Alpha Charlie Solutions, and Office Inn Bar and Grill seeks to elevate boxing as a sport in the country and change the narrative around Meru’s youth, particularly regarding teenage pregnancy issues. Caroline Gikunda of Alpha Charlie Solutions highlighted the event’s potential to foster a positive image of boxers from Meru, moving away from negative stereotypes.

Meru County’s Youth Affairs, Gender and Social Development Executive, Benjamin Mungania, expressed pride in hosting the international event, emphasizing its theme of raising awareness for teenage pregnancy and advocating for educational opportunities for teenage mothers. The sentiment was echoed by Meru Municipality MCA Caleb Mutethia, who sees the event as a crucial platform for community awareness and a call to action to protect the younger generation.

The championship will feature a diverse lineup of bouts, including a middleweight match between Mukami and Leilah Yusuph Macho, as well as a super middleweight bout between Wanyonyi and American boxer Kamron Humphrey. The main event will pit Scottish boxer Lee McAllister against Tanzanian Amos Mwamakula in a middleweight bout expected to last 10 rounds. Additionally, a national welterweight fight will see John Juma Oloo face off against Martin Achebi in a highly anticipated ten-round battle.

Participants and organizers alike are enthusiastic about the championship’s role in promoting boxing and addressing social issues in Meru County. Mukami and Wanyonyi, in particular, see the event as an opportunity to showcase their skills to a home crowd and inspire young people to pursue sports as a constructive and disciplining activity. With a rich lineup and a noble cause at its heart, the Kinoru Stadium boxing championship is set to be a landmark event in Kenya’s sporting calendar.

MIGORI – Migori Youth FC, under the patronage of Uriri Member of Parliament Mark Nyamita, has officially introduced Sammy Okoth, the former Shabana FC coach, as its new head coach. This move is part of the football club’s strategy to enhance its performance and secure a promotion to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League in the upcoming 2024/2025 season.

According to Kenya News Agency, the decision to bring Okoth on board was driven by the club’s ambition to climb to the FKF Premier League. Okoth, known for his experience and tactical acumen, expressed his commitment to leading Migori Youth FC to the pinnacle of Kenyan football, emphasizing the importance of support from the club’s patron, technical team, players, and fans in achieving this goal.

Okoth’s notable achievements include guiding Shabana FC, a team from Kisii County, to the Kenya Premier League by topping the National Super League (NSL) in the 2022/2023 season. Throughout his career, Okoth has also managed other FKF Premier League teams, such as Zoo FC and Vihiga, demonstrating his capability in the competitive football environment. Despite his successful tenure at Shabana FC, Okoth faced challenges that led to his dismissal in November 2023 after a series of unfavorable results left the team near the bottom of the KPL standings.

Migori Youth FC, which finished third in the NSL during the 2022/2023 season but was unable to secure promotion through the playoffs, sees Okoth’s appointment as a turning point. The new coach remarked on the potential he observed in the team during his time with Shabana FC and assured fans of his dedication to improving the team’s current standing. With Migori Youth FC positioned sixth after 20 matches in the current season, Okoth’s immediate goal is to propel the team forward, starting with an upcoming match against Navas FC on March 3rd.

Okoth also called on the club’s supporters to attend training sessions and home games, highlighting the motivational impact of fan presence on the players. With his extensive experience, Okoth is optimistic about leading Migori Youth FC to greater achievements in the Kenyan football scene.