Waweru replaces Kameta as Rio boxing manager

Chairman Boxing Association of Kenya John Kameta, left, and the new Coach National Boxing Team John Waweru during a meeting at Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Aiba three star coach John Waweru has replaced Boxing Association of Kenya (BAK) President John Kameta as team manager for boxing ahead of 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.

The decision to appoint the 43-year-old police and national team head coach was arrived at during BAK's executive meeting held at Nyayo National Stadium boardroom in Nairobi yesterday.

The meeting noted that Waweru's appointment was based on merit, owing to his status as an Aiba three star coach who is currently handling the three pugilists representing Kenya at the ongoing Aiba Amateur Professional Boxing (APB) series.

"We saw Waweru was best suited for this slot owing to his qualification as he will be able to double up both as team manager and a coach," noted Kameta.

Kameta explained that, in accordance with Aiba rules and regulations, one boxer should be accompanied by three coaches but this will not be the case for Kenya in Rio after the National Olympics Committee (NOC) declined to give BAK additional slots for coaches to accompany the three boxers who will represent the country in Rio.

Waweru, who last month headed team Kenya campaign for Rio Olympics qualifiers in Baku, Azerbaijan, noted that yesterday's appointment came as a great surprise to him.

"I can admit this is a tall order for me but I truly believe I have the capacity to multi-task in Rio, both as a coach and team manager. I will try my best to ensure my charges return with a medal," said Waweru.

Waweru's accomplishments include leading Kenya to the World Youth Championship in Bulgaria (2014), World Women Championship in Barbados (2012), 2012 London Olympics qualifiers in China and the ongoing Aiba APB series.

The decision to appoint Waweru as team manager was reached by BAK after Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) ruled out the federation's appeal against NOC's decision to overturn Kameta's appointment as the team manager for the Olympics team.

Meanwhile, Kameta said BAK will duly appeal against the ruling made by SDT board, saying it will be for the beneficial of the federation.

"As a federation, we will appeal against the minutes of the NOC meeting in 2013 that declared that no team manager position would be granted to BAK at the same time no financial assistance would be granted to the federation because of failure to submit the 2012 London Olympics report," said Kameta.

"The federation will also challenge article 50 0f the tribunal ruling which stated that BAK was not the appellant before the tribunal yet it is BAK who made the appeal through the federation's lawyer" he added.