Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) deputy president Paul Bitok has resigned as Malkia Strikers assistant coach.
In a press release on Friday, Bitok said: “After extensive consultations with the Ministry of Sports, National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK), national women’s volleyball team (Malkia Strikers) players, family, friends and fans, I have elected to step down from my position as the assistant coach of the national team.
"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.”
The decision was informed by the strong sentiments arising from his appointment on the technical bench alongside that of president, Charles Nyaberi as the team manager.
Bitok was set to deputise head coach Japheth Munala as he sought to conclude his coaching career at Malkia Strikers after the Paris Olympics.
“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,” he said.
“It was my wish and plan to end my coaching career 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.”
Throughout his tenure, Bitok has led the team to numerous achievements, including qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, winning the 2019 African Games title, competing at the 2022 World Championships in the Netherlands and winning the 2023 Africa Nations Cup.
He also highlighted the collaborative efforts with Brazilian coaches under the FIVB empowerment programme, which was to end after the Paris Games.
“As I step down, it is a moment for me to reflect on how far I have come in volleyball, a sport I have loved and given my life for as long as I can remember,” Bitok said.
“My coaching journey started in 2004 with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) after a playing career that took me beyond Kenyan borders — to Tunisia and Croatia.”
After two decades as a player and coach, Bitok is now keen to influence the game deputy president and technical advisor.
“I promise to exude the same zeal and passion I had as player and coach,” he said.
“I look forward to drawing upon the priceless knowledge and experience I have garnered from the last two decades in taking Kenyan volleyball to higher levels and transforming the country into a global powerhouse.”
Bitok conveyed his confidence in Malkia Strikers’ potential to shine.
“To Malkia Strikers, we have come a long way and grown together in leaps and bounds. I have full belief in you to make Kenya and Africa proud when you take to the court at the Olympics in Paris as well as the Challenger Cup in the Philippines," he observed.
"You can always count on my support as the KVF deputy president, to help each one of you attain your full potential on the international platform.”
Bitok concluded his statement with a call to action for the volleyball community, saying: “To all volleyball enthusiasts, let us join hands and develop the sport in every way possible so that millions of talent within our borders may reap from their labour. God bless you all; God bless Kenyan volleyball.”
