Boxing Association of Kenya in showdown with rebels over selection

Elections for the national boxing body were put off indefinitely by the Registrar of Sports. [GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD]

Boxing Association of Kenya is facing All Africa Games selection nightmare after some of its renegade members, led by the Kenya Police Service team, opted to stage their separate tournament in Nairobi this week.

BAK, however, insists the team to represent Kenya in Rabat, Morocco, from August 23 – September 3, will be named after the National Open tournament in Mombasa starting Wednesday through to Friday.

“As far as we are concerned, there is no showdown. Those who opt to follow the money being poured to derail the process can go to Charter Hall, Nairobi. Those who uphold the rule of law, genuinely seeking to represent Kenya will come over to Mombasa as indicated in the calendar of events,” Patrick ‘Mont’ Waweru told Standard Sports yesterday.

“It is interesting that of all the Disciplined Forces, only the Kenya Police team – and for reasons known to them have gone against the grain to follow a group awash with money and eager to derail the selection of the national team,” ‘Mont’ Waweru said.

A group allied to an aspirant for the BAK presidency, backed by suspended officials, have organised a parallel tournament on the same dates as the National Open Championship in Mombasa.

Elections for the national boxing body were put off indefinitely by the Registrar of Sports, who insist BAK Constitution must first be aligned with the Sports Act 2013.

The move has left BAK in limbo with officials led by John Kameta insisting they are still in office until elections are held.

Contacted for comment, Kenya National Sports Council chairman Nderitu Gikaria said KNSC will make its stand know by tomorrow after ‘studying the situation’.

“All I know there are association rules and procedures for team selection. However, I cannot comment at this point until I have studied the whole issue,” Gikaria said.

National Olympic Committee of Kenya Secretary General Francis Mutuku said all associations have mechanisms and procedures for team selection adding that the Sports Council has the final call to rule on issues arising.

“Whatever the outcome, we hope the athletes do not suffer,” Mutuku said.