Swimming federation stares at possible ban by international body after transition landmarks lapse
Kenya Swimming Federation (KSF) is rushing to beat a deadline and a possible ban from International Swimming Federation (FINA).
The local body have up to October 30 to put its house in order which involves adoption of a new a constitution, which was to be followed by issuing a notice for election by October 5 before the national elections by October 26 as directed by FINA.
With some crucial deadlines having lapsed, KSF has missed the set deadline for the second time in five months; the first ultimatum had been given for June 30.
Stakeholders are worried with the passed deadlines and no information forthcoming from the Interim Management Committee (IMC), the worst beckons.
The three committees appointed by the IMC to resolve some of the longstanding disputes on governance, competition and management are said to be far from completing their mandate.
Stakeholders query the KSF audited accounts which the IMC has not made public despite several demands. They allege those are some of the reasons behind the delay.
Stakeholders have also accused the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) of vested interests in the two years they have been running KSF affairs.
It looks unlikely; deadline will be met due to the fact that the voting clubs and schools are not compliant with the Sports Act.
However in an email seen by People Sport, SDT boss John Ohaga who is also the IMC chair has moved to quash any rumours of a possible ban.
“To the best of my knowledge, there has been no communication from FINA threatening a ban if elections are not held before end of October, 2019.
“FINA is very supportive of the progress made in trying to put in place a new constitutional dispensation for Kenya and to hold fair and transparent elections that will bring into office a progressive set of officials whose integrity is unquestionable and who can take swimming forward. They are also alive to the fact that this is not an easy undertaking,” read part of the email from Oaga, a contradiction of his earlier communication.
His remarks were echoed by CANA president Sanjeev Khagram who is also the chairman of the Governance Committee (GC) said members should stop panicking and that there is no looming ban.
“I can assure personally and on behalf of GC members that we have no intention of causing unnecessary or unwarranted delays. The GC stands to ensure the two tasks being undertaken shall be done in an objective, transparent, open, accountable and
If Kenya is banned, local swimmers will miss out on continental and world events starting with the CANA Zone V championships in Nairobi next month.
