Incumbents set to dodge punch in BFK polls today

Featherweight Pauline Chege (left) with her instructor Coach Benjamin Musa training at Mathare Police Depot, Nairobi, ahead of Women World Championship. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

As officials of Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) head to polls this morning, technical director Albert Matito will not seek re-election.

Matitio said he's proud of his achievements as a boxer and administrator for over five decades he had served the country in different capacities.

He said it was time to pave way for the young blood to take over the mantle and serve from where they have left.

"We have done our part and we must give way to others who should do better than us and improve on what we never achieved. I'm happy for the 55 years I have been in boxing as a boxer and in administration as we pave way for others," said Matito who served in different capacities in the BFK executive until his retirement yesterday.

The federation is also expected to have a new second vice president as Francis Kaaria who died three years was never replaced.

And as Matito retires, incumbent BFK President Anthony 'Jamal' Ombok hopes to be re-elected unopposed for another four-year term as he had no opponent by the set deadline on submission of papers to the National Elections Board.

The polls will be held at Moi International Sports Centre at Kasarani, Nairobi with six branches expected to vote in the elections.

They are Nairobi, Kisumu, Laikipia and Mombasa County Boxing Associations with Kenya Police and Kenya Defence Forces being special branches.

Nakuru County Boxing Association will not take part in the national polls after their elections aborted at Old Town Hall last weekend following a dispute on the voting register by two factions one led by incumbent chairman Isaac Mbote against former boxer and Sombea Boxing Club chairman Martin Luther.

As a result, Mbote who's BFK's first vice president said the anomaly had automatically knocked him out of elections and will not defend his seat owing to Nakuru County Boxing Association's failure to conduct the branch polls.

"Due to our failure to conduct our branch elections, it has automatically knocked us out of the national polls. Therefore, I'll not be eligible to take part in national polls," Mbote told Standard Sports.

Also expected to sail in unopposed are the incumbent secretary general David Munuhe and competitions secretary John Waweru.

The duo are veteran officials of Kenya Police Boxing Club and International Boxing Association Star Two coaches.

Secretary General Musa Benjamin is also set to be re-elected unopposed.