Fans of Boxing legend Conjestina Achieng can be hopeful of a return after she participated in an exhibition bout against former WBC super-bantamweight champion Fatuma Zarika in Mombasa on Sunday.
Conjestina had been undergoing rehabilitation at Miritni Hospital since July last year after she was rescued in her home town in Siaya.
The fight sponsored former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, took place at the Mombasa Women Empowerment Network Hospital and was aimed at giving the former World Boxing Association Middleweight champion a feel of the ring after years of suffering from a mental illness.
“Throughout her rehabilitation journey, Conjestina has shown incredible strength, both physically and mentally. Her unwavering commitment to better herself has inspired a lot of youths that were almost giving up in life,” Sonko said.
Sonko promised to sponsor Conjestina to ensure she returns to the ring.
On her part, Conjestina said she feels ready to participate in boxing events and is calling for support from Government and well-wishers.
“I have completed my recovery and am now out of hospital. My plan is to participate in big events now, and am asking the government if they can chip in and sponsor my future fights,” said Conjestina.
Her coach Humphrey Omenda said she is in the process of gaining her physicality, adding the mock game played in Mombasa was the determinant of her future boxing endeavours.
Former WBC Super Bantamweight title champion Fatuma Zarika challenged the government to treat boxing with the dignity it deserves to help resurrect the sport from its sorry state.
“If our government was giving support to boxers to motivate them then I can assure you that we would have been very far,” said Fatuma.