serious concerns over Kickboxing Elections delays

By Chris Onokpegu

There seems to be no end to the allegations level against the former president of the Kickboxing Federation, Mr. Wilson Okon as some stakeholders are also insisting on his dismissal.

In an interview with our correspondent recently, some Coaches and Stakeholders bare their minds:

• Tomoro Tamara, Bayelsa State Kickboxing Coach, said:
  “Kickboxing has been treated like a family business. Athletes train for months only for medals to be shared behind closed doors. This destroys careers.

“During the last National Sports Festival in Ogun State, Wilson Okon sent letters to States requesting for Yearly Affiliation Dues and Athletes Licence Fees to be paid to him even when he knew he was suspended from kickboxing activities and was no longer the president, imagine such a fraudulent act.

“There is no room for rascality and irresponsibility in our sport, it is Wilson Okon and his team that keep bringing disrepute to our beautiful sport. During the Sports Festival in Ogun State they came with violence when the coaches resisted. We were later informed that the Director General gave a directive that they should be allowed to be part of the officiating crew and that self-acclaimed Chief Referee, Nelson Oluigbo, Wilson Okon’s right hand man should head the officiating. They even fought the current leadership from using electronic scoring, so that they could carry out their fraudulent activities.

“I recall an incident that incited coaches in Abeokuta, where a particular coach from Edo State who came as an official, wearing an official uniform was seen fighting an athlete from another state because they defeated his fighter, are you here as an official or a state coach?

“Also at the last sports festival in Ogun State, Oluigbo on the last day gave results for kickboxing bouts that did not take place, we coaches were not even aware. It was when the Athlete went to complain to Dr. Mykel that he is yet to fight and he was in the finals, that an investigation was carried out and it was discovered that Oluigbo had already sent out the result. They had to do the bout again, and the technical director was able to manage the situation so that coaches don’t get angry and cause riot .

However, Tamara expressed optimism in the current leadership. He said, “The current leadership has shown commitment. During the last Youth Games in Asaba, coaches were happy with how things were handled, we had electronic scoring, new equipment, highest level of professionalism and transparency during officiating, this is the kind of change we need, and I am ready to support it.”

• Olakunle Awoyele, Nigeria Army Kickboxing Coach, recounts International embarrassment they got in the hands of Okon.

He narrated an incident in 2011 at a WAKO World Championships in Macedonia:
“Wilson Okon told the World Body that the Nigerian team had participated in a Tournament organized by another Kickboxing Organization in Europe, that they should not allow us to participate.

“We had 10 athletes from Nigeria, while other countries had the same challenge their athletes competed, but he worked against his own country at the World Championships even though we still participated, it was sad knowing that our own fellow countryman would sabotage his own country because of politics. He can’t sponsor, and he sabotaged those who sponsored themselves, putting his personal interest above National Interest.

Awoyele also alleged that Okon extorted athletes, diverted funds meant for athletes to sponsor himself, and currently steer clear of the National Stadium Surulere Lagos to avoid being ambushed by angry athletes.

• Enoch Abia, Akwa Ibom State Kickboxing Coach, also accused Okon and his associates of intimidation during zonal elections in Benin Edo State:

“We were threatened with violence, and cultists, that is after I rejected their offer of ₦1.5 million to step down. And when I turned it down they threatened me because it was obvious they would lose the election , so the only solution was to cause chaos. When the election was shifted to Abuja, they went and forged a letter for Bayelsa state.”

Enoch also alleged widespread compromise during the National Sports Festival competitions, including bribery of officials, violent clashes, and manipulated medal outcomes. “Kickboxing is a disciplined sport but when you push people to the wall they will react.”

Official Recognition of Current Leadership:

It is noteworthy that Bamiduro Olumide, former Director of Federation and Elite Athletes Development (FEAD), wrote officially to WAKO on behalf of the former Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh, affirming Dr. Mykel Eneduwa as President of KBFN. Copies were sent to international bodies and embassies.

This reportedly angered Okon, who granted a television interview allegedly insulting the Director.

Lingering Questions:

Despite impeachment and suspension, Okon reportedly continues to enjoy patronage from relevant bodies. This has raised serious questions among stakeholders, especially given that:

NSC election guidelines prohibit suspended individuals from contesting, coupled with the fact that all disciplinary documents are currently with the Ministry/NSC.

Recalled that Mr. Wilson Okon was impeached by the KBFN Board on 6 July 2023 in Lagos, following allegations of misconduct. A formal Notice of Impeachment was served on him.

Subsequently, at an emergency board meeting held on 18 May 2024, in Abuja, Okon was suspended for six years.

According to the impeachment letter, Okon was accused of:
✓ Interfering with and disrupting the development of kickboxing in Nigeria
✓ Visa racketeering
✓ Extortion of athletes
✓ Abandonment of kickboxing activities in favour of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
✓ Gross misadministration
✓ Financial impropriety

And on 8 May 2025, a Disclaimer was issued by the Secretary General, dissociating the Federation from Wilson Okon, who was still parading himself as president despite his suspension.

Copies of the disclaimer and disciplinary letters were circulated to:
~ The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (now NSC)
~ All State Commissioners for Sports
~ Directors and Directors-General of Sports across states
~ Sports Councils, Clubs, and Military/Paramilitary Sports Units

However, Kickboxing Stakeholders are disturbed by the continuous delay, hence they are urging the National Sports Commission, NSC to conduct elections into the board so that activities at the Federation can commence in earnest.