The national boxing team has called off its residential training due to persistent lack of funds. The 19-man team has been training in preparation for the first of two Beijing Olympics qualifiers scheduled for January 22 in the Algerian capital Algiers. The preparations have been called off by Thierry Ntwali; the National Olympics Committee (RNOC) chief of mission for the Beijing Olympics citing financial constraints. The ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports (Mijespoc) that in such cases provides funds for preparations, has not availed any (funds) this time round, Rwanda Amateur Boxing Association Secretary General, Eugene Ndashyikirwa also noted. The national technical director Gashuji Kananura has however insisted that it’s uncouth to blame Mijespoc because the national budget is not yet out. However, Kananura has remained positive about Rwanda’s involvement in the second edition of the qualifiers that is scheduled for March 22 in Namibia. According to Kananura, Rwanda will be represented in eight categories and Rwanda is to be represented by eight categories. “I am sure that five or even all our players will qualify in the second qualifiers, given good training,” Gashuji added. Training, however, has been stepped up to prepare for their second chance to secure a ticket to the Olympics.Boxers failed to qualify earlier as they did not participate in the August Algeria All African games on ground of incompetence during a previous African championship in Madagascar.Ends
