Bitok breaks silence after controversial Malkia Strikers role at upcoming Paris Olympics

14th May 2024

Bitok has defended himself in a press release and promised to make the final decision later this week.

Paul Bitok. PHOTO| Courtesy
Paul Bitok. PHOTO| Courtesy
SUMMARY
  • Bitok and Charles Nyaberi have received a lot of criticism after they were named in Malkia Striker’s technical bench.
  • Bitok is the KVF vice president while Nyaberi serves as the Federation’s president.
  • Japheth Munala and Janet Wanja are also part of the technical bench.

The Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Vice President Paul Bitok has issued a statement following the debatable Malkia Strikers’ 2024 Paris Olympic Games technical bench appointments.

It was recently discovered that Bitok and his boss Charles Nyaberi were set to accompany the team to Paris in July as assistant coach and team manager respectively.

The development led to a lot of outcry from volleyball stakeholders with some of them terming it as the highest degree of selfishness.

“It is funny to see a few individuals jostle for positions in a team that we have struggled to build over the years.

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From the way these officials are behaving, they will make people believe that getting elected gives you a chance to enrich yourself,” former men’s national team skipper Dan Wanyama was quoted by the Standard.

Reacting to the backlash, Bitok has explained why he was named as part of the Kenyan contingent to Paris.

“The last qualifiers happened when elections were ongoing and I remained with the team abroad so as not to sacrifice the effort my beloved team had put in, but with your confidence in me, you elected me in absentia as I was with Malkia Strikers for our international assignments.

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It should be noted that I had earlier indicated that I will be finishing my career as Malkia Strikers coach after Olympics, to pave way for a good transition in the team and also finish my eight years program with the team,” read part of the press release from Bitok.

Bitok, who has previously coached the Rwanda national women’s team, added that he will issue the way forward later this week.

“With your concerns, I will be meeting the players, ministry officials, NOCK stakeholders, relatives, and my fans for further consultation on this matter and I will make my decision about the same on Friday,” he ended.

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