International Kabaddi Federation threatens to ban Kenya

Sports Registrar against merger of two warring Kabaddi federations

The International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) has threatened to ban for life the local affiliate, the Kenya Kabaddi Union (IKU) if the Sports Tribunal does not stop its ‘forced mediation’.

In a hard hitting statement addressed to Sports Disputes Tribunal chairman John Ohaga, the IKF said it is against any efforts to merge the Kenya Kabaddi Union and the Kenya Kabaddi Federation .

IKF President Vinod Kumar termed the mediation talks premeditated with a particular end in mind and ordered its local affiliate to immediately pull out of the talks.

“We are astounded with the raft of recommendations that you issued on diverse dates of December 2022. The recommendations purportedly emanated from series of impugned mediation talks that were never approved of by the International Kabaddi Federation which the Kenya Kabaddi Union are affiliated to," a letter from IKF to the SDT reads partly,

“Further, our Member the Kenya Kabaddi Union did not assent to the recommendations from the mediation talks which this tribunal has haphazardly and in suspect rush adopted. This was brought to your attention but you elected to ignore," said Kumar.

The statement further said even the mediation talks had started, the Kenya Kabaddi Union had protested the style, manner and pre-medidated outcome of the talks.

“The International Kabaddi Federation have at all material times disapproved of any silent nor vocal talks that border on the merger of Kenya Kabaddi Sports Federation and the Kenya Kabaddi Union. This is a position we have unequivocally stated to you via letter dated 03rd of November 2021. We dare ask, why is the Sports Disputes Tribunal obsessed with idea of merging the Kenya Kabaddi Sports Federation and the Kenya kabaddi Union?” Wondered the IKF President.

He further claimed that the mediation talks do not fall within the statutory mandatory mediation.

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The IKF boss further pointed out that they are aware that Kenya’s Registrar of Sports is against the merging of the two federation and has already expressed herself on the matter.

“On or about 18th of May 2021, after lengthy deliberations, the Tribunal by consent order agreed that there was no conflict between the two factions of Kabaddi. The Sports Registrar equally via her observations has advised that there are distinct guidelines regulating Kabaddi as a Sport. You are well aware of the fact that our Association plays within the rectangular manner and is mostly indoors. This is not the case with that of our foes,” he added.

“For above reasons, we hereby advise the Kenya Kabaddi Union to immediately withdraw from the biased mediation talks. Further, we do warn that any attempts by the Registrar to strike out the Kenya Kabaddi Federation from the roll of National Sports Organization as per your recommendation shall attract huge sanctions and penalties that include withholding of grants and banning Kenya for life from the International Kabaddi.” He warned.