Malkia Strikers coach Paul Bitok has hinted at moving into management by vying for one of the positions at next year's Kenya Volleyball Federation polls.
Bitok, the first Kenyan to play professional volleyball — in Croatia and Tunisia — and donned the national colours at just 19, feels he has grown into the sport to qualify for a leadership role.
He has had a glittering career in Kenya with Malkia Strikers and KCB, in Tunisia with Sportive and the Rwandese national junior team.
Bitok recently guided Malkia Strikers to the Olympics Games for the first time in 16 years.
The Kapsabet Boys alumnus said even though he has unfinished business at KCB and with Malkia still rebuilding, being one of the KVF leaders would enable him to offer more into the sport he termed his first love.
"Come next year, I want to vie for one of the positions at the federation. I have had a sparkling career as a player and my track record as a coach speaks for itself. Moving into management would help me offer more to this game because I believe there's a lot that needs to be done," said Bitok.
His coaching journey kicked off on a high when he lifted the 2006 CAVB Africa Club Championship in Cairo with KCB after just one year of experience as a coach. His 10-year tenure in Rwanda saw him not only help develop players but also linked many with colleges in the United States.
Bitok said the men's national team deserves equal opportunities like their women counterparts if it has to perform to international standards. He observed that, under the guidance of experienced serial winning tactician Gideon Tarus, 'Wafalme' can rise from the ashes and become world beaters if their performance in the African Nations Championship last month is anything to go by.
"I urge the federation to give the men's team more opportunities for exposure. Honestly, there's progress and I appreciate what they did in Rwanda. It was the first time beat they Egypt and this young team can go places," he said.
Bitok said even though his return to Kenya was inevitable, he wasn't sure about coaching but is keen to prepare a competitive team for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
"I didn't know I was coming back to coach in Kenya after almost a decade in Rwanda. But the federation immediately asked me to go for the All Africa Games," he observed.
"We qualified for the World Cup through the rankings and I am really proud of myself. I didn't know I will one day coach at the Olympics. We have a young team that, under the right environment, will be ready to rub shoulders in France."
