Boxers assured on Olympics qualifiers

While asking the boxers to be strict and cautious in their individual training sessions by observing the Ministry of Health guidelines, the tactician said the final squad will be selected on merit.

"It will not matter whether one took part in the African Olympic qualifiers or not but all what we need is complete fitness," Benjamin told Standard Sports.

While saying they have not lost hope on securing more slots at the global qualifiers, Benjamin said boxers will continue to train on their own until the government lifts the restrictions that are in place.

"We are still eyeing more slots in the Tokyo Olympics after we failed to reach our target numbers in Dakar," he said.

"Therefore, we are determined to send a second team to France in order to enhance our chances of getting more slots at the global qualifiers and win more medals in Japan next year," Benjamin said.

Okoth and Ongare are training separately in their respective bases under instruction from a panel of five coaches led by Benjamin and his assistant David Munuhe.

"We always communicate to them (the two boxers) on phone guiding them on what to do and what not to do in the course of their training since they know their strengths and weaknesses," Benjamin said.

And in readiness for the Paris Championships, he called on all boxers in the provisional squad to continue training despite the challenges the sport is facing at the moment.

In March, another assistant coach John Waweru said they were looking at possibilities of sending six boxers to the Paris Qualifiers if they get the nod from the National Olympic Committee-Kenya and the government.

"What they need is to improve on their fitness so that anytime we are called upon to make a selection, it'll ease our work," Waweru said.