The sharp slap of pounding leather gloves attracts the attention of a few passers-by who peek through the barred windows of a community center in a sprawling, impoverished Nairobi suburb.
Inside the rundown building in Kariobangi-North, it is mostly women and girls, all training under the watchful eye of boxing coach Alfred Analo Anjere — founder of BoxGirls Kenya.
In 14 years, more than 3,000 women and girls have taken up boxing at the center, where a faded picture of the cartoon character Asterix wielding boxing gloves adorns a wall.
Photo: AFP
All started out for the same reason — wanting to defend themselves in their gritty neighborhoods, which are harsh worlds ruled by poverty and the survival of the fittest.
“One day, when I was going jogging, a man came out of nowhere and slapped me, so I wanted to go back to the gym, get the skills and get revenge,” said Sarah Achieng, a 34-year-old who turned pro.
For most at BoxGirls Kenya, the contact sport is a leisure activity, but some have made it their life, becoming professional pugilists. Some have even made it to the Olympics — such as Elizabeth Andiego, who took part in the 2012 London Games, and Christine Ongare, who is to compete at the Tokyo Games.
Anjere, nicknamed “Priest,” said that he does not want boxing to be about revenge.
“Boxing is intended to be a tool... the means to empower girls, for them to have a voice,” Anjere said.
A native of Kariobangi, he knows the problems encountered by women living in the deprived areas of Nairobi, including physical abuse, mental abuse and rape. Often, girls are forced to drop out of school because of poverty, pregnancy or early marriage.
Women are also vulnerable because they are often not economically independent, he said.
After witnessing Kenya’s bloody post-election violence in 2007, when women and girls were often targeted, he created BoxGirls Kenya.
Anjere advocates a “holistic” vision of boxing, saying that women can take from the sport the skills they need in daily life — developing confidence, self-esteem, resilience, and learning the “importance of setting goals and striving to achieve them.”
“Growing up in these neighborhoods with no self-defense is a bit challenging,” said Emily Juma, 22, an up-and-coming talent. “A lot of people ... view girls as sex objects.”
Sarah Achieng agreed, but said that what they learn at BoxGirls is more than just self-defense.
“Boxing also promotes leadership, self-discipline,” as well as self-knowledge and learning to stand by your decisions, Achieng said.
BoxGirls Kenya conducts workshops on entrepreneurship, rights, sexuality, reproduction and child protection to raise awareness among young women and men — 225 of this year’s 967 active members are boys.
The goal is to challenge stereotypes and “change mentalities,” Anjere said.
At the community center in the spring, 22-year-old Sophia Omari Amat could finally train in front of her six-year-old sister, but for a long time, she had to box in secret.
She said that she discovered the sport at the age of 12, but her father refused to let her practice it.
“He told me: ‘You are Muslim, I won’t allow you,’” she said, adding that her mother covered for her when she went off to box.
“Whenever the club had an event and maybe my mother wasn’t around, I’d lie to my father, pretending to see a sick friend,” she added.
Omari Amat’s perseverance finally convinced her father, who she said has become “proud” of his daughter.
“It’s a hard sport. I’m not going to lie, but as long as you keep on ... it’s going through your veins, and you keep on loving it more and more,” Omari Amat said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely