Olympics boxer’s dream to fight in Rio cut short by freak accident – VIDEO
The first Kenyan female boxer to participate in Olympic games is unable to represent the country in the 2016 Rio summer games after she was involved in a road accident.
Elizabeth Adhiambo Andiego, 29, made history at the London 2012 Olympics by participating in the Middle Weight (75kgs) category. She lost her only match on points against a Kazakhstan opponent who was ranked third in the world.
Three years later, she broke her left shin after a taxi hit her and a boda boda rider in April 2015 on Kangundo road. She was returning from a gym session during her build up to the Rio games.
HEAD AND LEG INJURY
“I was coming from the gym that day along Kangundo road on a boda boda when the taxi belonging to Kenatco came and hit us landing in a ditch. I had a head and leg injury,” the Olympian told Nairobi News.
She was then rushed to Mama Lucy hospital and later referred to Kenyatta Hospital where she was admitted for two months and underwent a surgery.
Her position in this year’s Olympics squad has not been taken up. Kenya will only have three male boxers in Rio.
Ms Andiego who started boxing in 2008 participated in the 2014 Commonwealth games and was preparing for All Africa games when the accident cut short her blossoming boxing career.
She set to undergo another surgery later this year after which she hopes to start training for the 2020 Olympic Games.
This even as the taxi driver who hit them still walks scot free because police never made any arrests.
USING CRUTCHES
Ms Andiego now walks using crutches. She told Nairobi News of her disappointment with disappointed with the Boxing Association of Kenya.
Having been in and out of hospital, she had expected the association to help foot her medical bill. The association gave her a wide berth
In fact, her first hospital bill amounting to Sh70, 000 was paid by nominated MP Johnson Sakaja.
“They (the association) haven’t been of any help. I think after seeing my condition they ignored me because I cannot box. If you have an injury you are out and no one cares. I feel like I have been ignored now that am injured they just look for replacements,” lamented Ms Andiego.
Ms Andiego, who was a part time gym instructor before the road accident, has had to depend on the support of her family, friends and well-wishers for her upkeep and treatment.
‘FEEL NEGLECTED’
“I feel neglected because when you are carrying the Kenyan flag everyone cheers on. But when you get involved in a road accident no one cares.
“Kenyan boxing team should borrow from the international scene on how coaches create a strong bond and are involved in the welfare of their boxers. Locally, coaches only start looking for boxers when there is an upcoming tournament,” she said.
Well-wishers can help the Olympian raise Sh200, 000 required for the second surgery by donating through her M-Pesa paybill number 247247 or Equity Bank account number 0640260783954.
The Olympian wishes the current boxing team of Benson Gicharu (Bantamweight) Rayton Okwiri (Welterweight) and Peter Mungai (Light flyweight) and all other athletes the best of luck in the Rio Olympic games.
