Tanzania began its campaign on a disappointing note at the IBA World Boxing Championships after national team boxer Faru Enzi Kasililika bowed out in his opening match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Kasililika was defeated on Thursday night by Seychelles’ Joshua Cousin, ending his run early in one of the world’s most competitive boxing tournaments.
Speaking from Dubai, Tanzania Boxing Federation (BFT) President Lukelo Willilo acknowledged the difficult start but emphasized that the team remains focused and optimistic.
He stressed that other Tanzanian boxers are still in contention, and efforts are underway to ensure the country advances further in the championship.
“We lost the bout, but we haven’t lost hope,” Willilo said. “Our mission continues. The team is still fighting hard to achieve our goals, and we continue praying for better results.”
Willilo urged Tanzanians to keep supporting and praying for the team, noting that national unity and encouragement play a crucial role in boosting the morale of the athletes.
He added that today, Tanzania’s representative Ally Ngwando is scheduled to step into the ring to proudly fly the national flag in his category.
The global tournament has drawn participants from 108 countries competing across 13 weight divisions. This year’s event is historic for its record prize pool of USD 8.32 million (about TZS 20.8 billion).
The champion will take home USD 300,000 (TZS 750 million), while the runner-up earns USD 150,000 (TZS 375 million).
Third and fourth-place finishers will each receive USD 75,000 (TZS 187.5 million), and the fifth-place boxer will collect USD 10,000 (TZS 25 million).
