Kenya Banned from International Swimming Competitions Due to Election Failure
The global organization overseeing aquatic sports, known as World Aquatics, has imposed a complete prohibition on Kenya’s participation in global tournaments. This decision comes as a consequence of the Kenya Swimming Federation (KSF) not successfully conducting elections as originally planned.
The federation was granted until July 8 by the regulatory authority to conduct an election. If they failed to do so, they faced the possibility of being excluded from international events due to their repeated inability to select fresh leaders.
KFS has refrained from conducting elections since 2014, as the present authorities are engaged in disputes regarding the election framework and other related matters.
At first, Kenya was in a state of suspension. Kenyan swimmers had the opportunity to participate in global competitions as individuals but were not permitted to represent their country. However, the organization has currently enforced a complete prohibition, including the withdrawal of financial support to local swimming associations.
The elections planned for the previous month did not commence as the Center of Corporate Governance was unable to appoint a returning officer. This was attributed to alleged pressure and threats from multiple petitioners.
“This decision was occasioned by the deliberate actions of identifiable members of the swimming fraternity within Kenya who have impeded the work of the Stabilization Committee – particularly the completion of the elective process designed to deliver a new Executive Board for Kenya Aquatics,” a statement by the Kenya Aquatics Stabilization Committee on Monday noted.
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In the absence of a duly elected federation team, Kenyan participants in aquatic competitions will be under the guidance of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) and a Stabilization Committee. These committees were appointed by FINA in the year 2019.
The disputes within the world of sports have been taken to the legal system, where measures have been taken to halt the process of electing new officials.
An announcement made in newspapers on Friday, July 7th, regarding a legal matter filed in the Kenyan High Court, led to the suspension of the elections, despite the appointment of a five-person group by Sports CS Ababu Namwamba to assist in the voting process.
The ban has led to stakeholders voicing their dissatisfaction and anger.
Maureen Owiti, a presidential candidate in the federation’s elections, accused unidentified individuals of using intimidation tactics against the absent returning officer.
She has called for swift measures to tackle the unsuccessful election, highlighting that the swimming community was disheartened by how things unfolded.
“We appeal to all higher offices concerned not to lead us to a path where no magic will be performed where others have failed,” she noted.
Kenya Banned from International Swimming Competitions Due to Election Failure