Kenya to host Africa Zone III Boxing Championships in October

For local boxing enthusiasts, the event marks the end of a 20-year drought, the last time Kenya staged a regional competition being the Zone 5 Championships at Kasarani Gymnasium in 2005.

Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) president Anthony “Jamal” Otieno expressed his delight, revealing that the government has officially approved and committed to funding the tournament.

“By giving us the go-ahead, it means our beloved government under the able leadership of President William Samoei Ruto has accepted to fund the tournament,” Jamal said.

“We wholeheartedly thank the Ministry of Sports, led by Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, for their support.

"Our goal is to stage the most successful Zone 3 Championships ever, and I appeal to all member countries to take part.”

Jamal also lauded President Ruto’s continued support for sports, pointing to his recent cash incentives to Kenyan footballers competing at the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

He expressed hope that boxers, too, would benefit from similar encouragement during the Nairobi extravaganza.

Zone 3 of the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) consists of 14 countries, with eight already confirming participation: DR Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Somalia, and hosts Kenya.

The remaining six—Gabon, Uganda, Rwanda, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, and the Central African Republic—are yet to be confirmed but are expected to join.

Beyond the boxing spectacle, the championships will also be a chance to showcase Nairobi’s charm.

Visiting teams will experience the city’s famous attractions, including the Nairobi National Park, authentic Kenyan hospitality, world-class nyama choma delicacies—from traditional roasted goat to exotic crocodile meat at the famed Carnivore Restaurant—and a vibrant nightlife.

Defending champions DR Congo will arrive with a target on their backs, having won the last two editions held in Kinshasa (2021 and 2022).

However, competing on Kenyan soil may tilt the odds in favor of the hosts. Kenya is expected to field two teams, just as DR Congo did while hosting, giving local boxers a strong chance to reclaim regional supremacy.