Two women have been appointed by International Boxing Association (IBA) to become the first Kenyan Lady-Referees-cum-Judges who can officiate international bouts around the continent.
The Leila Said Iddi from Mombasa and Nakuru’s Hellen Wanjiku Wathiga, who works in Mombasa can now officiate in Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships, All Africa games and Africa Boxing Championships.
That was after they received IBA Star 1-Referees and Judges Certification in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania in August having in the past only participated in the national assignments.
The duo was among those approved by Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) to attend the course conducted by IBA Technical Instructors from August 6-10 in Dar es Salaam.
Others who qualified were Nelson Harrison Otieno, Ibrahim Ahmed Ibrahim, Stephen Ndung’u Mathu, Samuel Obiero Ayuka, Edward Kibunja Mwaura and Joseph Odhiambo Onyango.
Th officials are now eligible to handle international assignments in the continent.
The good news was communicated to BFK by IBA’s Development Manager Anna Utkina on behalf of the Global’s Boxing Body’s Secretary General who’s also the Chief Executive Officer.
“This is to communicate the results of the IBA 1-Star R&J Course held within your National Boxing Federation Championships in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania over the periods August 6-10,2024. The following participants from your national Federation successfully completed the course and passed the examinations for a Star 1-Level,” said the letter signed by IBA Development manager sent to BFK President Anthony Otieno Ombok on September 17, 2024.
“This is great news to me and I must thank Almighty God for the journey that I have gone through to see me officiate at the continental level,” Wathiga told Nairobian Sports.
Wathiga and Leila have been officiating in local tournaments that include the Kenya Novices and Kenya Intermediate Championships, the National Boxing League and Kenya Open Boxing Championships, among others.
Last year, Wathiga who was voted the Best Referee in the Jamal Cup, an achievement that saw her earn a trophy is determined to climb in the higher ranks of officiating to the levels of global championships.
“My ambition is to officiate at the Commonwealth Games, the World Boxing Championships and in the Olympics and that needs more work to be done,” said Wathiga who could be selected to officiate in the Africa Boxing Championships starting in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo from October 14-28.
Leila said she attained that level through hard work and the hand of God also worked in her favour.
“We have reached this far through sheer hard work and I must thank God for seeing me through different challenges that I faced as a mother and referee to attain this qualification,” said Leila who was first a boxing fan before starting to get involved in its activities in Mombasa.
For a long time, Kenya has had only one qualified referee-cum-judge who officiated in the Commonwealth Games.
That was Nakuru based retired IBA Star 2 Level Referee cum Judge Joseph Mwangi ‘Don King’ Muthoga.
Star 1 R&J Samuel Obiero said his promotion was long overdue.
“I should have been promoted long time ago but because of many roadblocks, some of us were frustrated by some people who delayed our appointments but I must thank the current office bearers for a job well done,” he said.
So far, only IBA Star-3-Referees-and-Judges can officiate in the World Boxing Championships and at the Olympics and Obiero is not worried of the lost time but ready to be one of them.
“Despite of all what we have gone through, I’m determined to make it to the Olympics in the shortest time possible owing to my experience,” said Obiero, who is a former boxer.
At the recent Paris Olympics, only four officials from Africa officiated at the big games.
They were Ali Sid Mokretari of Algeria, Moroccans Abbar Bachir and Soulilmi Mouhsine and Yinka Mosunmola Adeoti of Nigeria with Europe, Asia and the Americas producing most officials who officiated at the last Olympics.
BFK President Anthony ‘Jamal’ Ombok said he was happy to have seen the success of the eight officials and hopes they could soon officiate in the next Olympic Games and in the World Boxing Championships.
“We’ll soon have more advanced courses that should see the same officials attain Star 2 Certification or more to enhance their chances of officiating in the Commonwealth Games ahead of the World Championships and at the Olympics,” said the BFK boss.
