NATIONAL Light Welter (64kg) boxing champion Jean Maurice Bikorimana will be Rwanda’s sole representative at the London Olympic qualifiers in Morocco from April 27 to May 6.The France-based boxer returned to Kigali recently to hold his final preparations with national team coach Gashugi Kananura.The decision to send one boxer was reached upon by the local Olympic Committee contrary to the local boxing federation’s request to send at least seven boxers.Gashugi told Times Sport yesterday, “I am not pleased at all with the decision of National Olympics Committee because we are limiting our chances of qualifying for the London Games.”“Nonetheless, I have high hopes in Bikorimana to do well, but if we had at least five more boxers competing alongside him, we could have two or three qualifying for the Games,” added a seemingly frustrated Gashugi.The London Games chef de mission for Team Rwanda Serge Mwambali said that budget constraints forced them to pick one boxer for the qualifiers.“If we had enough resources, we could be able to send more boxers and that’s why priority was given to Bikorimana whom we think has a better chance of qualifying,” added Mwambali.The Morocco qualifiers will help boxers meet Olympic Games qualifying standards.
