Olympics: The game of musical chairs continues

MAISHA MAGIC EAST LAUNCH NEW DOCUSERIES STORI YANGU Dr.Kipchoge Keino during Maisha Magic East launch new docuseries Stori Yangu which will feature real life stories of leading Kenyan personalities on 9th February 2017. PHOTO: WILBERFORCE OKWIRI

The IOC issues yet another ultimatum to sports team

World games body orders removal of court case by Tae Kwondo Association.

The International Olympic Committee wants a High Court case blocking the elections of its local affiliate withdrawn.

In its latest correspondence on the stalled National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) elections, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also ordered the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) to be retained to conduct the elections.

The IOC dismissed efforts to replace CMD following complaints from NOCK that the body was biased.

“We have carefully examined the various points mentioned in your latest communications and noted unfortunately that they do not address the main issues we raised,” IOC Deputy Director General Pere Miro wrote.

“In view of this, we request that the High Court clarifies the implications of the delay on holding elections as we have not seen any documentation about this specific issue and believe this should have been done first before considering any further steps.

“In parallel, take serious action to get this case before the High Court withdrawn in order for the election process to resume and conclude without any further delay as the concerns of the Tae Kwondo Federation have been sorted out.

“We also request all parties to respect the solution agreed upon prior to the elective general assembly on May 5, which included referring pending cases to the assembly for final decision before proceeding with the elections.

“Upon confirmation from the High Court that there is no further legal obstacle preventing elections from being held, resume and conclude the elective assembly in the same conditions as when it was adjourned with the same electoral board being responsible for conducting and monitoring the process,” the official said.

NOCK chairman Kipchoge Keino said the process of withdrawing the matter from the court had started.

“We are engaging with those who went to court and have asked them to withdraw the case so that this process can be completed.

“They have agreed to do so but insist that they be allowed to take part in the voting process,” he said.

Keino accused CMD of deleting the names of some federations from the list of those allowed to vote, insisting that this was the genesis of the problems that led to the stalling of the process.

“I still believe that they should have been allowed to vote because they took part in the constitution review process,” he added.

Keino admitted that NOCK is suffering after IOC cut funding to the local body.

“We owe two months’ rent arrears and have not paid our employees last month’s salary,” he said.

The IOC has suspended funding to NOCK until the elections are held.