The long-drawn disaster that continues rocking Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria (KBFN) has apparently left high pictures within the sport’s world governing physique apprehensive, as they worry the continuing stalemate might make the nation miss a spot at subsequent yr’s Africa Games in Egypt.
Sports247 gathered that qualifiers will quickly start for the presence of kickboxing as a medal-winning self-discipline on the continent’s subsequent multi-spotts gathering, however Nigeria stays suspended internationally from the game, because of lingering disagreement amongst its officers concerning elections.
However, in an obvious transfer to deescalate points, the president of World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (WAKO), Roy Baker is claimed to have initiated casual efforts to get peace again into the Nigerian part of the martial arts self-discipline by reaching out privately to some officers.
Although nothing has been formally revealed concerning Baker’s transfer to dealer peace, it has been gathered additional that the WAKO president’s efforts by way of a message despatched within the type of a private enquiry to one of many officers could possibly be the start of constructive steps in direction of lasting peace.
This may be deduced from a brief message seen by Sports247 late Wednesday, through which Baker reportedly raised concern about crises presently rocking the Nigerian physique, then gave strategies on doable methods out of the woods, in time for the upcoming Egypt 2027 qualifiers.
“Do we’ve any replace in relation to the standing of Kickboxing Nigeria? As you realize, we’ve the upcoming Africa Cup, which is the eliminator for the Africa Games in 2027, the place Kickboxing is a full medal sport. Unless we get this problem handled for Nigeria, they’re not gonna have the ability to take part, which isn’t what all of us need.
“So, how do we move this forward? How do you move this (and) what support can we give to Nigeria (to get this settled? Can we get a) General Assembly called and have stability brought back to Kickboxing in Nigeria?” Baker inquired in a message despatched to a key official of the federation.
Meanwhile, Sports247 gathered {that a} faction inside Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria is touting a retired army officer, Framah Eli Batnah as ‘incoming president,’ citing his retirement as an air vice marshall in 2025, earlier than which he was Nigeria Air Force (NAF) director of sports activities, former director of sports activities at Defence Headquarters and former board member of Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF).
However, Sports247 remembers that comparable unsuccessful peace strikes had been launched within the latest previous by officers of National Sports Commission (NSC), which means it’s left to be seen how this newest intervention from the worldwide physique would finally put an finish to the stalemate.
