Tanzania’s national boxing team, the Black Rhinos, will enter a training camp on September 20 ahead of the African Boxing Championships scheduled for October 18-31 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The team will camp at the Police Professional Training College (DPA) in Kurasini, Dar es Salaam, as the Tanzania Boxing Federation (BFT) steps up preparations for the continental competition.
BFT Secretary General Makore Mashaga said preparations were underway to ensure all selected boxers report to camp on time and begin formal training ahead of the championships.
“We are continuing with preparations so that by September 20, the team will have arrived in camp and started preparations for the international competition,” Mr Mashaga said.
He said more than 25 boxers had been called up to the preliminary squad, from which the final team will be selected.
The selection process will produce a squad of 25 boxers—13 men and 12 women—following training and assessment during the camp.
“The final squad will be known after the training camp and completion of the assessment process,” Mr Mashaga said.
The team will be headed by head coach Samwel Beatmen Kapungu, assisted by other coaches appointed by the BFT.
The African Boxing Championships will bring together boxers from across the continent, with Tanzania seeking to field a competitive squad after completing its selection and training programme.