The Boxing Federation of Tanzania ((BFT) held its general election here on Saturday, but failed to get a president after voters rejected a lone candidate.
Andrew Kueana who stood unopposed after his challenger Muta Rwakatare was disqualified for lack of merit, was rejected by 14 voters against 11 who cast their votes in his favour.
National Sports Council (NSC) member Jamal Rwamboh, who supervised the election, confirmed that BFT delegates have rejected Kueana and therefore, the federation has no president.
Rwakatare was disqualified after failing to submit during the screening a police report to ascertain his claims that his academic certificates and other important documents have been stolen.
Rwakatare was tipped to be elected president and his disqualification was strongly opposed by the delegates, some of whom bitterly argued with Rwamboh over what they claimed as ‘foul play’ by the NSC. The council, however, refuted the accusations.
BFT will now be under vicepresident Lukelo Wililo, who collected 19 votes during the polls also attended by NSC secretary general Henry Lihaya and his lieutenants Richard Mganga and Nelson Chacha.
Makore Mashaga retained the secretary general post in absentia after realising 17 ‘yes’ votes against five which rejected him, while Chad Jonathan Kapandantava was elected treasurer with 21 votes.
By COSMAS MLEKANI, Tanzania Daily News