Kenyans have expressed anger after the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) appointed two of its officials to head the technical team selected to guide the national women’s volleyball team Malkia Strikers at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
KVF President Charles Nyaberi and Deputy President Paul Bitok were chosen as team manager and assistant coach, respectively, during a KVF Executive meeting held in Nairobi on Sunday, May 12.
The two will be joined by Japheth Munala as the Head Coach and legendary setter Jane Wanja as the team’s trainer.
Critics argue that these appointments could undermine the technical independence of the team’s management.
Kenyans React After Officials Join Malkia Strikers Bench
David Lung’aho, who coached the national team at the 2004 Athens Olympics, criticized the federation’s decision, calling it a sign of greed within the executive committee.
“It is funny to see a few individuals jostle for positions in a team that we have struggled to build over the years. From the way these officials are behaving, they will make people believe that getting elected gives you a chance to enrich yourself,” said Lunga’ho.
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“Since both Nyaberi and Bitok are in the Exco, whom will they report to as technical bench members? It is not the best thing to do, but if this is their way of doing things, they will be setting a bad precedent.”
The decision also drew the attention of former national team captain and current Member of Parliament Dan Wanyama who pledged to discuss the matter with sports authorities to ensure that only qualified individuals will take up the role.
“For Bitok, we can give him some benefit of doubt because he has the technical knowledge. But with the case of Nyaberi, he is belittling himself as KVF president,” Wanyama told the Standard.
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“It’s not right for him to be in charge of the team yet we have very many team managers who participate in the league.”
However, Bitok has responded to the concerns stating that he will be finishing his career as Malkia strikers coach after Olympics to pave way for a good transition in the team and also finish his 8-year program.
“With your concerns, I will be meeting the players, Ministry officials, NOCK, stakeholders, relatives and my fans for further consultation on this matter and I will make my decision about the same on Friday,” Bitok said.
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KVF Fails to Extend Partnership with FIVB
The appointment comes in the aftermath of KVF’s controversial decision to cancel its empowerment programme with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) last month.
Under the lucrative programme, worth around Ksh 88M, FIVB extended six Brazilian coaches to the Malkia Strikers technical bench to help the team prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
They also helped the team in the 2022 World Championships, and the 2023 African Nations Championship which Kenya won and booked Africa’s sole ticket to Paris.
KVF opted to terminate the empowerment programme, which has helped Kenyan stars like Sharon Chepchumba get a lucrative European deal, over a disagreement on the composition of the technical bench.
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