Badminton Kenya seeking quick resolve to BWF suspension

Badminton Kenya says they are pursuing a quick resolution to the impasse that has seen Badminton World Federation (BWF) suspend Kenya’s membership and subsequently deprived of its ability to vote in BWF General Meetings, receive funding or membership grants and directly enter players in competitions.

“We remain committed to the roadmap leading to a free and fair national election agreed by both groups in a meeting on January 28, 2021. The said meeting had input of badminton players, Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage, National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) and Kenya National Council of Sports (KNSC). We wish to reassure all stakeholders that we will pursue a quick resolution to the impasse. On the other hand, badminton activities in Kenya including development programs, technical training, national competitions and national team training will continue uninterrupted,” Badminton Kenya chair Peter Muchiri wrote in a communique.

Two warring groups have seen the Kenyan federation’s elections delayed for more than four years. BWF had given Kenya until February 7 to organize inclusive, fair and transparent elections. This was an extension of a previous deadline following intervention from the NOC-K to get out of the impasse.

“Despite the parties meeting twice before this deadline, we have heard of no meaningful progress towards the organization of elections. A report by NOCK detailed the various options reviewed by the parties, but we understand that there was ultimately no agreement nor potential for agreement between the parties," the BWF suspension letter reads in part adding that the suspension would last until the parties are able to organize fair and transparent elections in line with BWF requirements.

It continues, "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 came barely two weeks after Kenya's badminton players took part in the Uganda International Badminton Open Championship held in Kampala. The Ugandan event was the first tournament towards qualification for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. There are nine tournaments that one needs to play to gather points for the Commonwealth Games' qualification.