Bitok seeks new challenge, eyes to guide Kenya in Olympic qualifiers

NAIROBI, June 14 (Xinhua) — Rwandan volleyball head coach Paul Bitok has declined to extend his tenure with the East Africa country and will return home in Nairobi on June 30 after a decade stay in Kigali.

Speaking on Friday, Bitok said talks with Rwanda ministry of sports had broken down and he would not look to extend his contract.

Instead, Bitok has sounded out Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) to consider him for any available spot in the national team.

The 45-year-old has been credited for assisting the development of volleyball in the east African country since his appointment in 2010.

“After over ten years in foreign land, I won’t be able to extend the contract as agreed with the Rwanda ministry of Sport.

“However, I will hold brief until end of the month to facilitate the smooth transition and hand over the task to a new team that will be recruited. There are also a few competitions the Rwandan national teams are engaged in coming up this month and early July, which I will oversee,” said Bitok on Friday in Nairobi.

Bitok may now be named in Kenya’s technical bench as the national women’s team prepare to compete at the Intercontinental Olympic qualifying tournament in August in Italy.

Kenya will face Italy, who finished second at the World Championships, the Netherlands and Belgium in the qualifiers, which will be played in Italy from Aug. 2 to 4.

Bitok was disappointed his Rwanda men’s team failed to secure Zone Five Africa Games qualification, which were held in Nairobi last week with Egypt claiming the single ticket from the region.

The Africa Games will be held in Rabat, Morocco from Aug. 19-31.

Rwanda men’s and women’s teams will be taking part in the beach volleyball World Championship in Germany later this month, as well as the Girl’s World Cup in Mexico in July and the women’s team in African Games in August in Morocco.

“After consulting my family and friendly I have made up my mind, but I will be available for consultation but for now am going back home.

“I am proud of my players because Rwanda is the only country that qualified two teams for the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship 2019,” said Bitok.

“I’m proud of my two teams for making history in Rwanda.”