Kenya Defence Forces and Kenya Police boxing teams will renew their rivalry when they meet in Mombasa this weekend for the third leg of the National Boxing League at Uwanja wa Mbuzi grounds in Kongowea.
The two-day event, which will see the Mombasa County government partner with Boxing Association of Kenya (Bak) for sponsorship of the event, will be unique in two ways.
The event will not only be the last major activity for the current boxing officials who are set to vacate office with the election dates already set for November 16, but it will also evoke the memories of the allegations of computer tampering by a technical official who awarded a Kenya Police boxer a win during the last leg of the league last year at the same venue.
The points helped Kenya Police emerge tops and eventually be crowned 2017 champions at the expense of the soldiers.
However, after investigations were carried out, it was discovered the judges had rightfully awarded the Nairobi boxer a 3-1 victory, but the recording was erroneously done in favour of the police boxer. The decision was rescinded and Police stripped of the points and the National League crown was awarded to KDF.
David Munuhe, who was handling the systems and who was found guilty of awarding the points to Kenya Police, has since been banned from any boxing activities for a period of ten years.
“I know the last time we played at the Uwanja wa Mbuzi grounds, almost the same time last year, fans walked out of the venue a dejected lot after it emerged that KDF had been robbed of their win, but that was rectified almost immediately and action taken after it emerged that it was an individual’s fault and not the referees or the judges. I want to assure them of a smooth championship this time round,” John Kameta said.
The Bak chairman, who has announced he will not be defending his seat at the forthcoming elections, said the event will also be memorable for the current office holders who will be holding their last major event before the elections.
Kameta lauded the Mombasa County government for undertaking to support the event by providing local transport for teams, accommodation for officials and a free venue for the event and asked fans to turn up in large numbers to cheer their favourite teams to victory.
Kenya Police are still perched at the top of the table standing after winning the second leg of the league that was held in Thika.
