Kenya NOC Elections Won't Include Keino

(ATR) The elections for the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) are now set for Sept. 29 but Kip Keino says he will not be seeking another term as president.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist, who is 77 years old, tells AFP that four terms is enough. He has led the NOCK since 1999. His decision comes just a day after he told Kenyan media he would defend his seat.

The final year of his tenure has been far from smooth, beginning with four of his top officials being arrested at the Rio Olympics last August for graft. Kenya’s sports ministry attempted to disband the NOC citing mismanagement.

The NOCK avoided a suspension by the IOC by passing a constitution in March but is still in hot water over its failure to hold elections. The IOC tells Around the Rings that it is waiting for official and detailed information on the latest election plans before making any statement.

The IOC has been withholding payments to the NOCK since March and told ATRlast month that it will continue to do so until a solution is reached.

Elections were supposed to be held on May 5, with Paul Tergat running unopposed for the NOC’s presidency after Keino failed to secure support for another term. On the day of the election, the Kenya Taekwondo Association was granted an injunction halting the vote.

The NOCK General Assembly met on Tuesday and set the Sept. 29 date to vote on a total of 11 positions. Tergat may face a challenger this time around, with reports that Kenya Volleyball Federation chairman Waithaka Kioni could be a possible rival.

Written by Gerard Farek

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