LOCAL boxers have received an invite to compete in the Nile Basin competition in Cairo, Egypt. The one-week event, to be held at the end of this month is also open to Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, DRC, Ethiopia, Sudan and Eritrea.

The local boxing federation (Raba)’s workload has been cut out for them after Egypt offered to fully cater for the team’s expenses throughout the event. The hosts have also offered to foot the team’s airfares.

"They don’t really have an excuse this time. All they have to do is concentrate on the task ahead,” Raba’s technical director and national team coach Gashugi Kananura noted.
The provisional team includes light flyweight Haziza Matusi (49kg), Maurice Bikorimana (69kg), Theoneste Bakunzi (64kg), Eric Baributsa (52kg), David Nsabimana (56kg), Vincent Nsengiyumva (75kg) and the super featherweight duo of Michel Gashumba (60kg) and Niyitegeka Sibomana (60kg).

The final team will have six boxers and Kananura reckons that the competition is a good platform for next year’s All Africa Games.

Ends