The Badminton World Federation has imposed a ban on the Kenyan office for failing to hold elections as instructed.
In a letter addressed to Kenya Badminton acting chairman Peter Muchiri and another local contact Jeff Shigoli, the world governing body has accused Badminton Kenya of failing to conduct the polls within the stipulated window period.
The elections were earlier planned for June 2018 but were shelved by the Sports Registrar as the national body had not complied with the provisions of the Sports Act 2013.
Muchiri’s faction went ahead to hold an Annual General Meeting that resulted in the election by acclamation of eight individual in absence of actual voting with very low turnout.
BWF declined to recognise the faction’s leadership, pointing out that the elections were not inclusive while Shigoli's group stayed clear of the exercise and are therefore not properly registered either.
While the world body said it didn’t recognise either faction, it added that it remained keen on working together with the parties on a binding roadmap for future inclusive elections and any initiative from the parties to resolve this impasse will be considered.
Seeing that the two factions are not keen on solving the impasse, the world governing body has ultimately cracked the whip.
“We are writing regarding the status of Badminton Kenya. In our last letter dated January 4, 2021, we gave until February 7, 2021, for Badminton Kenya to organise inclusive, fair and transparent elections,” read the letter.
The extended deadline had been granted in light of the support offered by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) to get out of the impasse.
“Unfortunately, despite the parties meeting twice before this deadline, we have heard of no meaningful progress towards the organisation of elections,” the letter continued.
A report by NOCK detailed the various options reviewed by the parties, but there was ultimately no agreement nor potential for agreement between the parties. As a result, the world governing body submitted the case to the BWF Council for review.
“According to Article 13.5 of the BWF Constitution, the BWF Council can suspend the membership of a member association who, in its opinion, acts against the BWF, its Statutes, or its Principles, Purposes and Objectives.”
“In this case, the BWF Council noted that the dispute between the parties has lasted for almost four years and that there is no expectation to resolve the issue. This undermines Article 5.4 of the BWF Constitution, which requires parties to have an effective election system.
“Consequently, as per Article 5.5 and 13.5 of the BWF Constitution, the BWF Council has decided to suspend Badminton Kenya from the BWF membership.”
The suspension will be upheld until Badminton Kenya is in a position to organise fair and transparent elections in line with BWF requirements and upon confirmation by the BWF AGM on May 22.
As a result of this suspension, Badminton Kenya shall be deprived of its ability to vote in BWF General Meetings, receive funding or membership grants, and directly enter players in competitions.
“We would like to clarify that while Mr Shigoli’s group is currently recognised by the BWF, this suspension applies to any entity representing Kenyan badminton.”
Any solution will have to involve all the interested parties in order to be endorsed by the BWF.
The body said it would be available to help the parties mediate in good faith and agree on a binding roadmap towards inclusive elections.
