BFK one step closer to landing final approval from World Boxing

After close to a year, Kenya’s amateur boxing federation - Boxing Federation of Kenya - is one step closer to being approved as a member of World Boxing, a status that will open its doors to participating in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Kenya, who had until 23 September not been listed as part of the Olympic recognised body, had admittedly engaged in a back-and-forth process to finally land an approval.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news

Previously fully affiliated to the International Boxing Association (IBA), Kenya had to relinquish part of its allegiance in favour of World Boxing, who on 26 February this year got provisional recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to govern the sport of boxing at the world level.

Boxing given nod for Los Angeles Olympic Games

Speaking exclusively to Mozzart Sport, BFK Secretary General David Munuhe said the national federation expressed interest in joining World Boxing in 2024, and over a substantial period leading up to the Executive Board Approval this month, engaged in a detailed exchange of paperwork, which was meant to provide adequate checks and balances for full membership.

As per Munuhe, the rigorous process did not involve major changes to Kenya’s boxing constitution, but was solely on “aligning” with World Boxing’s requirements.

In their statement confirming Kenya’s approval, World Boxing, who endorsed membership of seven other national federations, said: “Each new National Federation has completed a rigorous application process to join World Boxing.

They are deemed to be in good standing and, through their statutes and operating processes, able to demonstrate a transparent and open election process, the existence and operation of WADA-recognised anti-doping policies and processes, evidence of independent, structured, dispute resolution and appeals processes, formal recognition by either their National Olympic Committee (NOC) or Ministry for Sport and a solid national and international boxing programme.”

Having passed the approval stage, Kenya, who boast of seven Olympic medals, will now wait for final approval later this year.

Under World Boxing’s Statutes, final approval of membership status can only be conferred by Congress, which is the ultimate authority of World Boxing, and will be voted on at its next Congress, which is scheduled to take place in New Delhi in November this year.

Should Kenya get the approval, she will become only the 15th African nation under World Boxing.

Former Kenyan boxing president details current sorry state of the sport

Other nations waiting for the vote to join include: Slovenia, North Macedonia, Qatar, Libya, Senegal, Nicaragua and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, on Monday, 29 September, IBA President Umar Kremlev joined hands with Donald Trump Jr, Executive Vice-President of The Trump Organisation, in an alliance targeted to help define the next era of the sport of boxing - one in which it remains above politics, but rooted in fairness, and empowered by business.