▪️Women’s total number of IBA certified R&Js increases to 10 with one of them Leila Said Iddi becoming the first ever East African female to attain Star-3 status
▪️Kenya now has a total of five Star-3 R&Js all looking forward to officiate in the prestigious World Championships, Olympic and Commonwealth Games
Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) has every reason to shout from the highest rooftop on the tremendous progress they have made in empowering coaches, referees and judges since ascending to power in 2019.
With no certified IBA R&J then, today BFK under the leadership of President Anthony Otieno Ombok aka Jamal, boasts of 26 IBA certified R&Js with five of them attaining the Star-3 status. They are Nelson Otieno, Samwel Obiero, Leila Said Iddi, Kibunja Mwaura and Stephen Ndung’u. The five Star-2 R&Js are Hellen Wanjiku, Richard Jobyesse, David Ouma, Mercy Musila and Odhiambo Joseph.
Star-1 R&Js: Linda Ombima, Moses Gitonga, David Opiyo, Sharon Anyango, Grace Ayebo, Cynthia Akinyi, Anthony Ngugi, Marchollo Alexander, Joseph Mwasia, Rebecca Wambui, Omar Salim, Samuel Chege, Rehema Adam, Anthony Bell Ouma, Maureen Adhiambo and Samuel Otieno Agai.
Releasing the latest figure, the chairman of BFK’s R&J Commission Nelson Otieno was in cloud nine following the rapid progress Kenya has made within a span of only five years.
“We owe it to BFK for holding two certification courses in Nairobi in 2025 which have a been big boost to all of us,” Otieno told boxersworld.co.ke
“It’s very expensive to travel out of the country to attend these courses, we are therefore very grateful to our national body for, I’m sure more of them are coming to Kenya.”
Otieno, fondly referred to as Kinshasa Mobimba by close friends, is himself a living example of the high caliber of Kenyan R&Js. He was honoured as the best R&J in the Konstantin Korotkov Championships in Russia in 2021, a feat of no mean achievement.
Such is the significant transformative steps BFK has taken in empowering the R&Js through Star-1 to 3 level courses to ensure they demonstrate a high degree of professionalism whenever they’re officiating.
Heavily relying on IBA to provide highly skilled instructors such as Rajiv Godavarisingh Rajcoomar from Mauritius, the federation is now reaping from the fruits of their labour as evidenced in the professionalism exhibited by their committed R&Js in the popular Kenya National Boxing League, the flagship event of the federation.
The strategic collaboration between BFK and IBA ensures Kenyan officials meet international standards, thus enhancing the quality and fairness when officiating boxing competitions in Kenya and overseas.
BFK has also facilitated IBA Star-1 and national certification courses for R&Js and coaches to anchor the growth of the game at the grassroots through the vibrant and successful “Ndondi Mashinani” initiative.
The focus on R&J development is going on concurrently with nurturing junior and youth boxers, bridging the generational gap to ensure a strong future for Kenyan boxing.
BFK’s other notable achievement is increasing the number of women in officiating roles and participation in the IBA certified courses.
As a result of this commitment, Kenya has made history in producing the first ever East African female to attain Star-3 status. She’s none other than Mombasa-based beauty Leila Said Iddi who is currently basking in glory from this remarkable achievement courtesy of her commitment, passion and hard work. In all, Kenya now has 10 IBA certified women R&Js.
IBA under the leadership of Russian billionaire Umar Kremlev has made it clear R&Js and coaches are an integral part in boxing development worldwide. That’s why IBA has invested heavily in the certification courses.
While boxers may be the main actors in this combat sport, it’s noteworthy that no competition can take place without the presence of R&Js. And there’s no boxer capable of training himself/herself without the guidance of coaches.
