Reluctant legend Kipchoge under pressure

From Left-Suspended Chairman NOCK Kipchoge Keino, NOCK Legal officer Sharad Rao and David Mereka of Mereka advocates during NOCK meeting at Hotel Panari on Tuesday, Feb 28, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

After a series of meetings between Paul Tergat and National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) chairman Kipchoge Keino, the latter decided not to contest in the May 5 elections, Standard Sports can reveal.

And it has emerged that some current officials are planning to write to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) alleging Government interference in the election process and thus the need to postpone the elections.

On Wednesday, the Nock electoral board announced that Tergat is unopposed for the top post after Keino failed to pick nomination papers, a move former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Sam Nyamweya (inset left)said was coming.

Nyamweya told Standard Sports that it was after a series of meetings that Keino decided not to contest.

“I can confirm that the two (Kipchoge and Tergat) held several meetings during which we convinced Keino not to vie and protect his legacy. He agreed and requested that his legacy be taken care of in line with his status as a former Nock president,” he said.

Nyamweya also admitted it was not easy convincing Keino to step down as people close to him wanted his name on the ballot.

“There were people who wanted him to contest at whatever cost and it made everything difficult. However, in the end Kipchoge had to make a decision that is good not only for his legacy but the country as well,” he added.

While confirming that he did not pick the nomination papers for the May 5 elections, Keino said he ‘felt crippled’ by forces in the Ministry of Sports.

“There was no need to pick the forms after the frustrations I have been subjected to. I care about my legacy and want to protect it at all costs,” he said on Wednesday.

Keino also confirmed he had scheduled a meeting with the top brass at Kencom House that houses the Ministry of Sports to pour out his frustrations. Tergat also confirmed to have held several meetings with Keino.

But yesterday it emerged Nock Secretary General FK Paul was under pressure from to write to IOC to protest what they termed as ‘State interference’ in regard to not clearing four federations to vote.

A decision by a faction of Taekwondo to nominate former Judo chairman Stephen Soi, has elicited angry reactions from another which has now written to poll agency, CMB, to withdraw his name.

The letter states: “We wish to categorically state that at no time was there a meeting proposing those two (Soi and James Chacha) as Taekwondo representatives.

The four, weightlifting, taekwondo, canoeing and cycling have fallen short of the Sports Act 2013, their fate would be known today.