Rwanda Amateur Boxing Association (Raba) technical director, Gashuji Kananura has urged more Rwandan to embrace the sport as the federation targets to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London, UK. Rwanda failed in the attempt to qualify for the Beijing Games in August this year but Gashugi has lost no hope in the ability of Rwandan boxers being part of the London Games. “We need better preparations if our boxers are ever going to have any chance of qualifying for international championships including the Olympics, starting the 2010 Games,” said Gashuji while commenting on the way forward for Rwandan boxing after the latest disappointment. He added, “Given good preparations, this country has boxers who are capable of being among the best on the continent. We are targeting the 2012 Olympics”. However, the veteran boxing official who also doubles as the national team head trainer said there is a need for more youth to embrace the sport hence creating more clubs, which in turn will bring about more competition for a better national team. There are less than ten clubs in the country. Twelve year since boxing was introduced in Rwanda with Gashugi being the main architect; there are only five active clubs in the country. They include; Pan Africa, Inkuba, Rafiki, Kimisagara, and Remera. Boxers have, for a long time attributed their failure to develop their careers on the poor training environment in clubs and lack of appropriate competitions amongst themselves. When the current federation committee took office early last year, they promised to organize more competitions; publicize the sport among locals and attract young players. Ends
