Africa-Press – Kenya. The National Paralympic Committee elections were called off at the last minute on Friday following a court order amid contradicting statements from stakeholders.
Kenyan Sports Federation for the Mentally Handicapped secretary general, Pauline Arange lamented that they have been sidelined for a long time and were not aware of Friday’s exercise.
“We have always been sidelined when It comes to Paralympics and we are happy the court has listened to us” she added.
She said for a long time, they have always invested their time and resources in training only to be snubbed when it comes to international competitions.
“As an affiliate of KNPC, we were not informed about the elections and that is why we sought a court order. Some of our people depend solely on sports for survival and it’s time they were taken seriously,” she said.
Arange hoped that KNPC will soon put its act together and serve all its affiliates. She said as it is at the moment only one affiliate was represented.
On her part KNPC, President Agnes Oluoch refuted the claims that they had sidelined some affiliates. She said they were working under a new structure and Kenya Sports Federation for the Mentally Handicapped were not part of KNPC.
She said under the recent changes, the mentally handicapped were dropped as their affiliate and Cerebral Palsy was shifted to the wheelchair and amputee category.
“We were prepared to conduct the elections but we were barred by the court. It’s sad to hear that we have side-lined some affiliates,” she said.
She expressed optimism that they will solve their issues and hopefully hold their elections soon
“We have been summoned Sports Disputes Tribunal on Tuesday and I hope we will know what is next for us,” Oluoch concluded.
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