Renowned boxer Fatuma Zarika has spoken out after losing a bout against her Mexican counterpart, Yamileth Mercado.
Speaking to members of the press, the fuming pugilist hit out at the Kenya government for not giving her the support that she needed to defend the title.
Zarika said that it was better that Yamileth Mercado won the bout as her government had supported her and would ensure that the belt is taken care of.
"I will not apologise for anything because when I was seeking to defend the belt no one stood with me. I have stayed with that belt for 4 years and I have nothing to show for it except the support of Sportpesa. When Sportpesa left I was left with no one to support me. The government does not care (Siombi msamaha kwa mtu yeyote, wakati ambapo nilikuwa nafuata hio belt sikuwa na mtu yeyote nilikuwa pekee yangu. Na nimekaa na hiyo belt miaka nne hakuna kitu yeyote nzuri ishaikuja isipokuwa Sportspesa. Vile Sportpesa ilitoka hakuna mtu yeyote ambaye ananishika mkono. Government haitaki kushugulika)," the angry boxer said. (0:07-0:25)
Fatuma Zarika has been a mainstay of the Kenyan boxing scene alongside Conjestina Achieng', who slid into poverty after a long battle with mental illness.
The boxer's tirade adds to the blistering criticism that the Kenyan government has come under for allegedly not according the men and women representing the country in different sports disciplines.