Maluki in tough duel for continental seat

Kenya Judo Federation president Shadrack Maluki is optimistic he will be elected the new Africa Judo Union chairman in the upcoming continental polls slated to take place today in Dakar, Senegal.

Maluki, who is in a joint candidature with Malagasy candidate Thierry Siteny going for the presidency, expressed confidence in the partnership as they hope to clinch the top seats for the next five years.

Speaking ahead of the polls, the country’s federation president, promised to elevate the status of judo beyond the African continent and onto the global stage.

“Our objective in Team Siteny is to transform judo in the entire African continent. We know where we are going and we know that judo needs a leadership like this that has been missing. As team Siteny, we are focused to bringing this and within our period of office we will take African judo into the world level,” he said.

Maluki is the first deputy president of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) and the current president of the Kenya Judo Association. Presidential aspirant Siteny on the other hand has over 30 years’ experience and currently serves as the head of Malagasy Olympic Committee.

Senagal is also poised to host the sixth African judo championships that will be taking place from May 20th - 23rd. Initially, the championships were planned for Morocco but the venue was changed to Dakar, Senegal.