New constitution will end cash problems, says KVF official

The funding problems bedevilling the national women volleyball team may be a thing of the past when the Kenya Volleyball Federation meets in Nairobi on March 1 in a special general meeting to ratify the new constitution.

Kenya Volleyball Federation national assistant secretary, Ben Juma, says with the new constitution in place  which will see the new sports act in operation, federations will start getting direct funds from the government which he says  will ensure national team  assignment and youth development programs prioritized.

According to Juma, who  also doubles up as the KVF coast branch secretary, it was very painful to see Kenya lose a World Cup berth to Tunisia in home soil  a performance he said can be directly attributed to luck of funds for preparations.

“The Kenya teams could have played strong build up match against top volleyball playing nations in the world to become battle hardened, and this would have  directly reflected in their bruising battle with Tunisia , “the former Kenya international said.

According to Juma, it is very difficult for a team which is used to winning matches, pulling themselves from down after losing a set  a condition that can be tested in tough practice matches. Juma says the sports act  will see funds role down to the counties  which he says will directly benefit youth programs which will eventually act as feeders to the national teams.

“We must accept that without sound youth programs, the future of any sport is bleak thus the need to take advantage of the funding from the government to put up structures right from the grass root level.

The Coast branch will be holding its Annual general meeting this evening at Red Brick Hotel.