NAIROBI, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will not send a swimming team to the Tokyo Olympic Games as the country was banned by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) on Thursday.
After three warnings, FINA Executive Director Cornel Marculescu, said they had no choice but to ban the country from all international competitions.
The Kenya Swimming Federation (KSF) was due to hold its elections in 2018, after the conclusion of a four-year term by the outgoing officials. However, wrangling and failure to line their constitution with the global swimming governing body have left the country out to hang and dry with the consequence of missing the Olympic Games due in Tokyo from July 24 to August 9.
"Through this letter, we would like to inform you that Kenyan Swimming Federation is not in compliance with FINA rules and FINA constitution," FINA said in a letter dated December 16, 2019.
"All members are obliged to hold a general assembly at least every two years. The General Assembly must approve the accounts, the budget, a technical report as well as an audit report. Elections must be held every four years," it said.
Kenya failed to act after FINA gave it a June 30 deadline and later moved it back to October 30 and later November 30. All three notices expired without any action being taken, FINA decided to kick Kenya out of international competitions.
"FINA has decided to initiate proceedings to suspend the Kenyan Swimming Federation and its members, including the clubs, according to FINA Rule C 12.2," Marculescu said. Enditem
