Volleyball: Counties impasse threatens KVF national elections
The Kenya Volleyball Federation’s (KVF) 2022 national elections are facing uncertainty following the lack of a consensus at the county level.
This year’s elections are set to be held on July 30 during the KVF’s annual general meeting but as of now, none of the country’s 47 counties has forwarded their registrations for validation to the Sports Registrar which is one of the constitutional requirements according to the 2013 Sports Act.
“It is becoming more and more unlikely with each passing day that the elections could fail to take place at the end of the month,” one of the officials seeking election this year and who sought anonymity confided in People Daily Digital.
“The Federation’s branches are now county-based and so far not a single one has been registered as is required by law,” he added.
KVF's Saturday meeting
At least 24 of the 47 counties need to have valid registration as branches of the federation for elections to take place.
The impasse forced the KVF’s Executive Committee into a meeting on Saturday to mull over a way forward.
KVF President Waithaka Kioni has been quoted in the past confessing that his federation was having problems establishing representation at the county level.
This year’s elections have attracted some new faces in administration but well-known individuals in volleyball circles.
Malkia Strikers head coach Paul Bitok is vying for the Deputy President seat while former national team player Roseline Odhiambo is gunning to be on the Executive Committee.
Others are journalists Samuel Gacharira and Daniel Maluki, Gacharira, a former Kenya Forest Service (KFS) player has thrown his hat in for the Deputy Secretary-General position while Maluki is vying to be the next treasurer.
Three candidates
Three candidates have shown interest in the top seat looking to replace Kioni who has been at the helm for two decades and is not seeking re-election with the 2013 law stipulating that no elected official shall serve for more than two terms.
Current Deputy Presidents Charles Nyaberi and David Kilundo will be joined by Former KCB Women’s coach Edward Nalianya in the presidential race.
In other news, the 2021/22 Men’s League playoffs have received new serve-off dates.
The games, involving the top four teams from the just-concluded regular season, were scheduled to be played from July 22 to the 24th but will now take place between July 29 and July 31.
A venue is still yet to be revealed.
Defending champions General Service Unit (GSU) will seek to retain their title for the fifth time running against perennial rivals Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya Prisons and playoff debutants Trailblazers.
Below are the fixtures;
Friday, July 29
GSU vs Kenya Prisons – 1 pm
Trailblazers vs KPA – 3 pm
Saturday, July 30
GSU vs Trailblazers – 1 pm
KPA vs Kenya Prisons – 2:15 PM
Sunday,July 31
Kenya Prisons vs Trailblazers – 1 pm
GSU vs KPA – 4 pm
