Newly-elected Boxing Association of Kenya president Anthony Ombok Otieno, aka Jamal, has vowed to lift the standards of boxing in the country by setting up structures that will attract investors and sponsors.
Jamal has called upon winners and losers to join hands in the spirit of handshake and revive the ailing sport that was heading to the dogs owing to poor leadership and stale structures.
The Kisumu-based businessman said wrangles and chest thumping will not help the sport grow but instead pull down all the progress and benefits gained in the last few years.
He thanked delegates for entrusting him with the onerous task of leading amateur boxing for the next four years.
Otieno who was widely cheered at the Kasarani indoor Gym garnered 41 votes against Siaya County Treasurer Remjus Oketch who got no vote.
Otieno replaces John Kameta in an exercise which was presided over by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The exercise was boycotted by the other splinter group led by outgoing and interim Chairman John Kameta
In attendance were Sports Registrar, Rose Wasike and Kenya National Sports Council Administrative Secretary James Akama who attended the elections as observers.
The returning officer was Bernard Musee who lauded delegates for conducting themselves maturely.
David Munuhe of Police was elected the Secretary General after garnering 38 votes against his sole opponent Ratib Farjallah of Kisumu County. He replaced Nakuru based Isaac Mbote who captured the first vice president position.
Nairobi Secretary Benjamin Moses is the new treasurer after beating Daniel Andafu of Vihiga County by 38 votes against four. Former treasurer George Foreman did not offer himself for elections.
Musa, also a former Kenya junior team coach will be deputized by Lydia Kinyua from Laikipia County.
Crispine Onyango the Secretary Mombasa County is the new Assistant Secretary after sailing in unopposed while John Waweru of Kenya police replaces his uncle Patrick ‘Mont’ Waweru as the Competition Secretary.
Gender rule was observed after Joselyn Mare from Meru County was voted as the new Assistant Competition secretary replacing Patrick Maina of Kenya Prison.Mare got 37 votes against her opponent George Onyango who scooped only four.
Committee Members are Gladys Musafi from Trans Nzoia, Steve Odour ( Busia County) and James Ochieng from Siaya County.
BAK becomes one of the few sporting federations to comply with the Sports Act of 2013.
The elections were held in accordance with the Sports Act and the Rules and Regulations of the office of the Register of Sports.
A total of 15 counties participated upon meeting the minimum threshold of acquiring integrity documents. A minimum of 8 Counties were required for elections to proceed as earlier advised by Sports Registrar.
Notable absentees were Prisons, Kwale County, Kakamega County, Murang’a County and Nyeri County who are yet to comply with the Sports Act.
The 15 affiliate counties which participated included Nairobi, Kisumu, Siaya, Busia, Kenya Defence Forces, Nakuru, Vihiga, Trans Nzoia, Laikipia, Mombasa, Kilifi, Police, Embu, Laikipia. Meru, and Kiambu respectively.
