Kenya
escapes threat of ban after resolving to adopt new constitution
Send a link to a friend
[March 18, 2017]
By Isaack Omulo
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's national
Olympic committee has escaped the threat of suspension after failing
to adopt a new constitution but funding will continue to be withheld
until further notice, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said
on Saturday.
The IOC froze financial support to Kenya nine days ago, after the
country's troubled national committee (NOCK) failed to adopt a
revised constitution, and said it would discuss the matter at its
executive board (EB) meeting in Pyeongchang this week, leading to
speculation that it might ban the country.
However, IOC Deputy Director General Pere Miro said a Kenyan
undertaking to bring in the new constitution at a meeting later this
month meant the IOC had stayed the threat of further action.
“The IOC EB noted, with disappointment, that your NOC failed to
adopt its revised constitution at its meeting on 7 March 2017,” Miro
said in a letter to NOCK President Kipchoge Keino.
“However, the IOC EB welcomed the recent positive developments, as
mentioned in your letter dated 14 March 2017, in particular the firm
commitment from your NOC to rectify the situation and the resolution
signed by the members of your NOC Executive Committee to support the
adoption of this revised constitution at its next Extraordinary
General Assembly already reconvened by your NOC on 28 March 2017.
“In view of this significant progress, no further action will be
taken at this stage by the IOC. Nevertheless, the IOC EB has
confirmed that all payments of subsidies to your NOC continue to be
on hold until further notice,” said the letter.

[to top of second column] |

“The IOC will continue to monitor closely the
completion of the entire process -- including the adoption of the
revised NOC constitution, as a first step, and the holding of your
NOC Elective General Assembly, as a second step - in accordance with
the road map established in September 2016,” the letter said.
The IOC wants the body to adopt a new constitution
barring incumbent officials from casting their vote during general
assemblies, which some have been accused of using to prolong their
own terms in office.

Kenya last month accepted a local high court decision overruling
last year's government order to disband its Olympic committee after
accusations that it had poorly handled arrangements for the 2016 Rio
Games.
Sports Minister Hassan Wario had ordered that the NOCK be disbanded
last August, saying the body had not arranged adequate accommodation
and travel for the Olympic team in Rio and had mishandled other
issues.
Despite problems in the build up to Rio, the East African nation
enjoyed its most successful Olympics, winning six gold medals, six
silvers and one bronze, all in track and field.
(Editing by Clare Fallon) [© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All
rights reserved.]
Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten
or redistributed.
 |