AHERO, Nyando, August 6th –Former Natíonal Boxing Head Coach, the late Albert Matito, was on Friday laid to rest at his home near Ahero town in Nyando constituency.
The late Matito, who passed away two weeks ago at a Kisumu hospital, was interred at Bwanda in Kabonyo village.
Among those who attended the burial were boxing federation president Antony Ombok alias Jamal and other national officials.
Other national federation officials who attended the burial included Secretary General Munuhe David, head coach Musa Benjamin, competition secretary John Waweru, and head of judges Nelson Otieno. Local officials present included Dominic Owiti, (secretary) and David Ouma (treasurer).
Mr Ombok praised the late Matito as a mentor of many pugilists especially during his stint as the head coach of the Armed Forces amateur Boxing association.
He said it was the late Matito who inspired him to gain an interest in boxing.
During his heydays, Matito was a member of the national team’s technical committee in addition to being the head coach of the team for the Commonwealth Games in both New Delhi, India and Glasgow, Scotland.
Some of the boxers he mentored at AFABA included Benson Gicharu, David Manyasia, Reyton Okwiri, Dennis Okeyo, Daniel Shisia, John Kariuki, Nick Abaka, Elly Ajowi, David Gakuha and Collins Bulinda, among others.
Former international Ibrahim Bilali, who won a Bronze medal at the Los Angeles Olympics games in 1984, said it was the late Matito who trained him and also assured him of a win at the prestigious event.
The late Matito, upon his retirement, formed the Ahero Boxing Club and also served as the national federation vice chairman at the county level.
He retired from the forces as a sergeant and was aged 74 years at the time of his demise.
