Pwani Boxing Festival draws crowds, sponsors urged
Thousands packed Mama Ngina Waterfront Park in Mombasa on Friday, Dec. 26 as the inaugural Pwani Boxing Festival delivered stoppages, points wins and a loud signal that boxing still has a pulse at the Coast. Marion Buyanzi opened her account with a flyweight stoppage, while Shaban Mohamed, Ibra Malik, Ashraf Hakim and Abdalla Juma were among the standout winners as local rivals traded heavy shots under the lights.
Co-organiser Mzee Mwinyi said the biggest obstacle is basics: “These young people are from humble backgrounds… They cannot afford basic training gear,” he noted, urging both national and county governments to invest beyond football and athletics.Mombasa Boxing Association official Chrispin Onyango called financing the “biggest challenge,” adding that limited funds restrict exposure. Co-organiser Juma Mashuhuri said the turnout proved the appetite is real: “We only lack funding and support… this game will grow exponentially.”