Paul Bitok, the deputy president of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), has bowed to pressure and resigned from his position as the Malkia Strikers assistant coach, a role he was offered in preparation for the Paris Olympics Games. His decision to step down comes after facing public criticism, with many viewing his appointment, alongside KVF president Charles Nyaberi, to the national women’s volleyball team technical bench as a conflict of interest.
Bitok’s resignation follows an outcry from the public regarding the perceived conflict of interest arising from his dual roles as a KVF official and a member of the coaching staff for the national team. By stepping down from his coaching position, Bitok aims to address concerns about the integrity and impartiality of the team’s technical bench, ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection and coaching processes for Malkia Strikers.
“I have also stepped down from an earlier position offered to me by the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) to be part of the technical team. This has been largely informed by the strong sentiments that have arisen out of the appointment of Malkia Strikers’ technical bench for the Paris Olympics, which I was part of,” said Bitok in a statement.
Following the controversy surrounding the appointment of the technical bench for Malkia Strikers, Charles Nyaberi has been named as the team manager, while retired setter Janet Wanja has been appointed as the trainer, and Japheth Munala will serve as the head coach. This reshuffling comes amidst public outcry regarding the process of appointing the technical bench, which reflects a broader concern over the management of the national volleyball team.
The public backlash has been intensified by the backdrop of Kenya’s loss of a multi-million sponsorship from the FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) after KVF rejected a deal that would have facilitated high-performance training camps overseas for Malkia Strikers. This rejection of a potentially beneficial sponsorship deal has raised questions about the federation’s decision-making processes and its commitment to the development and success of the national team.
Paul Bitok, who has resigned from his position as Malkia Strikers assistant coach, expressed his intention to retire from coaching after the Olympic Games. However, he now shifts his focus entirely to his executive role within the federation. This move signifies a reevaluation of priorities within the KVF leadership and underscores the need for transparency and accountability in the management of Kenya’s volleyball affairs.
“I would like to clarify that I didn’t impose nor appoint myself to the team but have been a part of them before and during the Olympics qualifiers in Cameroon – long before I was elected KVF deputy president.
“It was my wish and plan to end my coaching career in style after this year’s Olympics. Paris would have been the culmination of the eight-year project for Malkia Strikers that I have been honoured to spearhead.
“I thank God that we have been able to achieve various milestones during this period, including qualification to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 2019 African Games title, 2022 World Championships in the Netherlands, the 2023 Africa Nations Cup crown as well as qualifying for this year’s games. It was a great moment also working with Brazilian coaches under the FIVB empowerment programme which we were to end during Olympics 2024 after joining hands in 2020.”
Paul Bitok assumed the role of Malkia Strikers head coach in 2019, following his decision not to extend his coaching tenure in Rwanda. His return to Kenya rejuvenated the national women’s volleyball team, leading to significant achievements on the international stage. Bitok’s tenure as head coach coincided with his election as the deputy president of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF).
During his five-year tenure as head coach, Malkia Strikers experienced remarkable success, including winning the 2019 African Games title, which marked a significant milestone for the team. Additionally, under Bitok’s leadership, Malkia Strikers qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games after a 16-year hiatus, showcasing their resurgence on the global stage.
The team also participated in the 2022 World Championships and secured a historic tenth Africa Cup of Nations title in the previous year. Furthermore, Malkia Strikers achieved the remarkable feat of securing back-to-back Olympic qualifications, highlighting Bitok’s impact on the team’s performance and success.
