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All Africa Games light flyweight gold medallist Suleiman Bilali lived is life on top of the world when he was at his boxing peak; lived large, drove sleek cars and traveled the globe. All that is in the past as he struggles with his alcohol.
Bilali was recently booked into a rehabilitation center together with another boxing legend Congestina Achieng’ courtesy of Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko where is recovering.
Earlier today, the Nairobi City County Alcoholic Drinks Control & Licensing Board offered financial & material support towards the rehabilitation of ex-boxing champions Congestina Achieng & Suleiman Bilali. The two boxers are recovering well at Eden House Foundation in Nairobi. pic.twitter.com/PNw3OgjESV
— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) November 20, 2018
Bilali’s is a sad story of rags to riches and back to rags for the man in his 40s who lives in a deplorable life at the condemned at the Muthurwa estate. The former boxer now survives on handouts and hustling by selling second hand clothes and shoes.
Head injury
His story is as shocking as he currently appears when one gets an encounter with him mostly around the City Stadium. He explains that a mental condition brought on by a head injury sustained in an accident during a training in 1998 almost shattered the two-time African champion’s life.
“I was jogging on Thika road when a car ran over my right leg. I dislocated my left shoulder and sustained a head injury, which to date causes me memory lapses,” said Bilali.
After a two-year out of action, he limped back into the ring and went through fights on pain killers. Bilali was determined to get back onto his feet. He bounced back and qualified for the following Olympics.
“I had just won at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games qualifies in Egypt and as I celebrated, I received news that my wife had delivered a baby girl,” Bilali told bordermedia.
His troubles dint end there, in 2004, he slipped and fell while boarding a matatu on Juja road and a vehicle ran over him and he had to undergo anothet two years of agonizing as his career hang in the balance.
Fortunately, he resumed training and made the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. His prowess earned him Head of State commendations from retired presidents Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki.
The former General Service Unit officer suffered his lowest moment when he was discharged from duty, empty-handed on medical grounds after 15 years of service for what was termed as desertion of duty. He also lost all his investments and wealth through dubious means after his family and friends took advantage of his mental state.
“I forgave them because they are human, but I know God has good plans for me and He would never forsake me,” he said.
Record
Bilali was born in 1978 and has represented Kenya at various international championships. He won the All African Games light flyweight titles in 2003 in Abuja and 2007 in Algiers.
During the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, he lost to Spaniard Rafael Lozano in the quarter-finals. Lozano went on to clinch the runners-up position. At the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, he lost to India’s Ali Qamar.
Bilali neither participated in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games nor the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. He made the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games but was knocked out in his first bout.