This week marked the start of Millwall Community Trust’s activities and food holiday camps. During one of the sessions, the kids had the opportunity to have a Q&A, followed by a boxing session with Chris '2Slick' Kongo. Millwall Community Trust caught up with the former Team GB member Chris after the sessions to talk a bit more about boxing, and what he plans to do in the community with Millwall.
- Could you tell us a little about yourself and how you got your start in boxing?
My name is Chris Kongo, I'm a professional boxer. I've been boxing for 20 years now, started when I was 8, a young boy. I turned professional five years ago, and I’ve built myself up to become number 1 in the UK, 3 times.
- How was it talking to, and doing a little boxing with the young people today?
It was great! It’s what I enjoy. Anything to do with boxing, even if it’s teaching and not doing it myself, I enjoy it. The kids enjoyed it, the 2 girls even said they are going home to show their parents what they learned today. As long as the kids are happy, I’m happy, and as long as they’re having fun, we’re having fun boxing together.
- You have now taken the step to work alongside Millwall in the community. What impact do you hope to make in your local area?
Impact is where people have remembered what’s been done, and they speak about what’s happened, and if it’s something they enjoy, the kids will go back and talk about these sessions to others. For example, the kids from the session today said they’re going to tell their parents. As long as they enjoy it, the more they'll want to come back to these activities, instead of going to do other activities outside of school that are negative and won’t benefit them. We want to keep it positive and keep good energy here at Millwall with all the kids in our community. That's what I'm looking to encourage amongst the young people.
- What made you decide you want to partner with Millwall?
I chose Millwall because it’s my local team and I support them. I also want to give back to my local community, and Millwall see what I’m doing, and I’ve seen what they’ve done. So, we thought we would link together and do something big this summer, and just continue the journey and legacy throughout the years to come.
- Did you attend holiday camps similar to this when you were growing up?
We had a football one near my area, where Millwall usually used to come and put on a 6-week training programme. Then we used to have a five-a-side tournament at the Community Trust. That was when I was young, and I attended a programme, and after that, my mind became focused solely on boxing.
- Final thing, the Olympics Games has started in Tokyo, have you been keeping up with all the boxing?
Boxing-wise, yes. We have had 4 wins so far, 2 of our girls, and 2 of our boys, and we’ve only had one loss so far, which is good. As a team and in the boxing Olympics, we’re doing well.
