Bunyore youth boxing club coaches now want the Vigiha CEC for sports Onzere Mulongo to crack the whip on boxing officials within the county for poor standards of the sport within their jurisdiction.
While speaking to the press at their training unit in Luanda town, coach Michael Otiato alleged that corruption is rife, leaving boxers to suffer on their own.
Otiato claimed that boxers are not being funded in terms of equipment, allowances and other forms of facilitation.
“The reason why boxing players are suffering in this county is because of poor management from the officials in the office,” Otiato said.
“We want that office thrown out, have new elections to elect only people who have knowledge on boxing issues so that they can fight for the interests of boxers in the county."
Peter Okusimba, a police officer who is involved in the promotion of the sport in the county said poor governance and politics have affected activities within the county.
“If we can keep off politics and have people with boxing knowledge to take over the office, we will able to make a move since we have good players in this county,” Okusimba said.
However, Vihiga County Boxing Association chairman Wycliffe Andafu dismissed the claims, insisting that he will only facilitate boxers from clubs who are registered with the association.
“Making noise isn’t an issue. As much as they haven’t registered with the County Boxing Association and at the national level, we can’t facilitate them since there is no way I will account for that money,” Andafu said.
While speaking on the phone, Andafu said he hasn’t blocked any boxing club from joining the association.
Andafu also refuted claims of misuse of funds, hiring outsiders to represent the county in grassroot tournaments and picking non-boxers for a boxing training session in Siaya county.
Jackson Okiya said Vihiga county has five boxing clubs on paper but only three exist.
“We have only three real boxing clubs situated in Gisambai, Mwibona and Luanda town. Those in office have been using divide and rule to kill the clubs. However, we are firm and united as coaches and have even met the Governor, Wilber Otichilo, who agrees that these officials must be kicked out,” Okiya said.