KVF President Waithaka Kioni mourns NOC-Kenya Secretary General Tom O'Omuombo

Nairobi, Kenya, August 16: The sports fraternity in Kenya was thrown into mourning yesterday following the death of National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) Secretary General Tom O'Omuombo.

O'Omuombo who was instrumental in supporting volleyball in the country passed on at a hospital in China where he had been admitted while on official duties ahead of next year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

Leading the volleyball family in mourning the departed sports official who was also the President of Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone 5, KVF President Waithaka Kioni said O'Omuombo's death was not only a big blow to his family or the sports fraternity in Kenya but the Olympic movement had lost a dynamic leader.

"On my own behalf and on behalf of the volleyball family in Kenya and in Zone 5 I wish to convey my heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family, relatives, friends and the entire sports fraternity in Kenya following the death of O'Omuombo," said Kioni.

He pointed out that death has robbed Kenya and Africa of an industrious sports administrator who had done alot to ensure that Olympic sports in Kenya among them volleyball moved to greater heights.

"I have known Tom for many years and his support for volleyball while serving as NOC-K Secretary General has been so tremendous and we in the volleyball family will miss him so much," said Kioni.

The KVF President said he had for many years worked closely with O'Omuombo during which he discovered that the departed NOC-K Secretary General had love for volleyball which always saw him turn up at Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani whenever there was a tournament.

"When NOC-K celebrated its 50years it is important to note that volleyball was among the few sports selected to participate in the celebrations which was a clear sign of O'Omuombo's love for the sport," Kioni said.

The late O'Omuombo ranks as one of the longest serving sports administrators in Kenya and indeed in Africa. His last major assignment was when he accompanied the Kenyan contingent during last month's All Africa Games in Algeria.

Commissioner for Sports in Kenya Gordon Oluoch and Global Sports Marketing Chief Executive Officer Sharad Ghai also sent their messages of condolences.



By Jack Kwemba, KVF Press Officer