State awaits Fina response on selection criteria
What you need to know:
- Fina picked Kenyan swimmers Hamdan Bayusuf and Talisa Lanoe to represent the country in their respective 100m backstroke events at the Olympics basing on Universality procedure after having taken part at the 2015 World Championships.
The Government has directed Team Kenya chef de mission Stephen Soi to write to International Swimming Federation (Fina) and get clarification on who qualified to represent the country in swimming at the Rio Olympic Games.
Sports Principal Secretary Richard Ekai disclosed Friday that it’s after getting the clarification that they will be able to make the decision on whether to maintain status quo or dismiss the selection.
Fina picked Kenyan swimmers Hamdan Bayusuf and Talisa Lanoe to represent the country in their respective 100m backstroke events at the Olympics basing on Universality procedure after having taken part at the 2015 World Championships.
United Kingdom-based Rebecca Kamau, who had attained “B” qualifying times both in 200m Individual medley (2:18.60) and 200m breaststroke (2:31.62), was left out by Fina after she failed to make it to the World Championships.
However, the move was heavily criticised by Rebecca’s father Kiruri Kamau, who accused KSF chairman Ben Ekumbo of not forwarding her daughter’s name for selection.
“We have listened to both parties but as it looks there seems to be confusion in the process or someone might have taken advantage to create some flaws,” said Ekai.
“We don’t want KSF to be involved but the National Olympic Committee of Kenya since they are an interested party.”
Ekai clarified that they cannot direct the inclusion of Rebecca and another swimmer Issa Mohammed to the team since its Fina and KSF who have the mandate to do so.
“We shall be able to tell whether the process was flawed or not with the response from Fina,” said Ekai.
