KENYA THANKS FIVB FOR SUPPORTING THE COUNTRY AND AFRICAN CONTINENT
World volleyball governing body FIVB has pledged its continued support to Kenya and African continent as a whole.
Addressing the biggest sports press conference ever seen in Kenya at a Nairobi hotel on Monday, CAVB President Dr Amri Elwani said FIVB under the wise leadership of DrRubenAcosta has given great support to Kenya and the African continent and it would continue to do so.
"Kenya as a country has benefited greatly from support from the FIVB and I wish to state here that Dr Acosta will continue ensuring that our continent get support from FIVB so as to raise the standards of the game on the continent," said Dr Elwani who was accompanied to Nairobi by the CAVB Press Officer, Dr. Tarek Al-Adwar.While congratulating Kenya women national volleyball team for qualifying to represent Africa at next year's World Championships in Japan and their recent victory in the African Cup of Nations which will see the team participate in 2007 World Cup in Italy, Dr Elwani called on the team to work hard. "Africa is very proud of Kenya as a country and that is why Dr Acosta and his team in CAVB has been giving support to Kenya and other countries in Africa," said Dr Elwani who was flanked at the press conference by Kenya National Sports Council Chairman, Joshua Okuthe.
He revealed that FIVB has given Kenya and other countries in Africa both technical and material support and called on the local media to support their country, their team, FIVB, their federation and CAVB. "It has taken FIVB, CAVB and KVF many years to mould and build such a great team and the media should not destroy that work by reporting negatively. You don'tchop the hand that feeds you," said the CAVB President. Dr Elwani commended KVF Press Officer Jack Kwemba who was present for doing a good job and advised KVF Secretary General Jacob owiti and members of his National Executive Committee to ensure that the KVF Press Officer gets all the necessary information which he can pass over to the media. "Journalists are professionals who speak the same language so for the sake of accuracy and correct reporting KVF must ensure that they use the Press Officer to pass information to the media since he is the federation's link with the media and the outside world," Dr Elwani said. The CAVB President said apart from giving technical and material support, FIVB supports teams to international tournaments like World Cup and World Championships by giving air tickets, accommodations and balls. The Kenya National Sports Council Chairman, Joshua Okuthe who is the advisor to the sports minister on sports matters thanked FIVB and CAVB for the support they have given Kenya. "Kenya as a country is very thankful to FIVB particularly Dr Acosta for his tireless efforts in seeing into it that volleyball in Kenya and Africa develops. As a government we shall work closely with both FIVB and CAVB for the sake of our beautiful game of volleyball," said Okuthe. KVF Secretary General Jacob Owiti who was accompanied by his able deputy Maina Chelogoi, KVF Press Officer Jack Kwemba, KVF vice President Madam Grace Minja, National Treasurer Kenneth Tonui, head of marketing Peter Kegode, National Sports Organising Secretary Walter Otieno and committee member Paul Nzuki said they have got a lot of support from FIVB. "As a federation I wish to assure Kenyans and especially the media that FIVB has given us a lot of technical and material support which has helped develop volleyball in the country, said Owiti.He said KVF was very loyal to FIVB President Dr Acosta and CAVB President Dr Elwani who have both worked hard to bring the standard of volleyball in Kenya and Africa to where it is today. The hard working KVF Secretary General who is due to attend the CAVB Congress in Cairo along with Walter Otieno pointed out that KVF has received balls, computer, fax machine and photocopier from FIVB which has helped the federation run its activities. "FIVB has also brought coaching courses to Kenya and the recent VIS course held in Nairobi is all part of the support we have received from FIVB and as afederation we are very grateful," Owiti said. Owiti said Kenya was part of the united volleyball family and they would not like to be isolated. "As a federation we are appealing to the media to support our team, FIVB, CAVB and our federation by reportingaccurately and positively," said Owiti.