By OSCAR PILIPILI
Rising standards of sport in neighbouring state has elicited concern
Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) has expressed concern over the rapid rise in the standards of the sport in neighbouring countries especially in Rwanda.
KVF chairman Waithaka Kioni warned that unless the Government changes tact in the way it handles sports then Rwanda would be unbeatable in most disciplines in next three years.
Mr Kioni revealed that the Government of Rwanda fully supports its volleyball teams right from the grassroots which is contrary to what is happening in Kenya.
EXORBITANT charges
“KVF has been sharing ideas with previous governments on how to develop volleyball in Kenya but nothing has changed,” Kioni said during an meeting with the federation and Africa Merchant Assurance Company (Amaco) in Eldoret last Sunday.
The insurance company sponsors Amaco International Volleyball that ended at Eldoret Polytechnic last Sunday.
“Federation of Rwanda Volleyball has a bus bought by the Government and has staff who are fully paid by the Government,” said Kioni.
“The Kenya Government should learn from what is happening there and act fast for us to maintain our status as a sporting power in Africa,” Kioni added.
The KVF chairman stated that while Rwandese teams are training in Europe and South America, Kenyans cannot even access standard gymnasium at Kasarani due to exorbitant charges.
“Our teams cannot access Kasarani because the daily charge of Sh180,000 is out of our reach as a federation,” he lamented.
Kioni said Paul Bitok was one of the best volleyball coaches around but the Kenya federation cannot afford to employ him.
Bitok is currently head coach of Rwandese teams and he is the person behind the rise of volleyball in the tiny Central African state.
Kioni is, however, hopeful that with the new political dispensation the status of sports in general would change for the better. “The entry of vibrant leaders in the Eleventh Parliament is likely to change how sport is handled in the country,” he said.
The leaders Kioni was referring to include Webuye East MP Dan Wanyama, who is former national team captain and 2012 Boston Marathon winner Wesley Korir of Cherang’any who are members of Parliamentary Committee for Sports.
“In fact, the Rwanda Under-19 team is currently training in Turkey in preparation for World Championships,” said Bitok.
“Rwanda is very serious about talent development. It has set up talent centers across the country and motivate upcoming talent by paying their school fees,” Bitok told FeverPitch.
