It's a dream come true - Pauline Chege speaks after national team inclusion

Kenya Defense Forces (DEFABA) boxer Pauline Chege remembers that phone call from her bosses a few weeks ago that carried the good news she had been waiting for since she turned her attention into full-time boxing in 2015.

Chege had finally ticked off a major goal in her bucket list as the national boxing head coach Musa Benjamin had approved her to join up with a group of 12 other boxers gearing up for the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships scheduled for March 14-26 in New Delhi, India.

“I was just emotional,” Chege recalled getting the news from her bosses at KDF. “There are those moments that are completely stunning, and that was one. You can guess I was overjoyed and made a few happy calls to the people that meant so much to me and encouraged me through the whole journey.”

Among those who played an important role in shaping Chege was boxer-turned-coach Benson Gicharu who as per the Africa Military Games Kenyan representative was delighted with the new step after years of knocking the door that took sometime to open up.

“Gicharu has been a blessing to me,” Chege said. “For a young boxer like myself, I was and still am very goal-oriented. I felt the need to move up swiftly and when it didn't happen, I got to the point of nearly giving up on the sport.

“Gicharu was the man who gave me hope and showed me the right path to follow.”

Fast forward to three weeks of national team training, Chege is awed by how much learning can take place by just being around the top cream of Hit Squad boxers.

“Awesome, powerful,intense,” Chege said as her collective feeling inside the camp. “I always dreamt of representing my country and being close to greatness. That’s what I am getting now. The feeling has just been amazing, especially being around fellow women doing great things.”

Among the boxers making an impact to her growth is Olympian and African Games silver medalist Elizabeth Andiego who ‘always wants to follow up’ and ‘offers advice’ as the team captain and also wants to keep check of the individual boxers’ personal lives.

“Liz [Andiego] wants to check up on you and will even make a phone call if need be," Chege said. “Even with her accolades, she is humble, disciplined and ever in communication with you. Those are new things I have learnt not from Andiego alone but from the rest of the senior squad members.”

Emanating from the DEFABA team, Chege and her club-mate Friza Anyango (welterweight category) both got their maiden call-ups and will be in the traveling team.

“Two happy friends,” Chege said of her relationship with Friza. “We all wanted to be here and its just about proving that we can do it. Good thing we have our other mate Veronica Mbithe who is also showing us the way.”

Coach Musa upbeat ahead of IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships

Leading up to the Championships, Chege only expects ‘fire performances’ for herself as she works to bag medals and reach her ultimate prize - representing Kenya in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.