Kenya's participation in the next month's World Junior Swimming Championships in Israel hangs in limbo.
Kenya Swimming Federation (KSF) Stabilisation Team leader Michael Otieno said with the failure to conduct polls last month, the fate of the dozen swimmers hangs in balance.
"World Aquatics will be announcing the verdict on Kenyan Swimming Federation soon and so the fate of the swimmers is something we don't know,” he noted.
The squad includes Lubaina Ali Bianca Samuel, Audrey Chebet, Sarah Mose, Antisha Mose, and Angel D Samoe in the girls' category.
Nathan Matimu, who has been in good form in various local events, is the high-profile entry in the boys' category alongside Shaka Gikunda, Mutinda Aker, Joshua Masaka, Haniel Khudoli, and Ali Nandy.
Two of the swimmers —Sarah Mose and Aker Mutinda —are currently competing at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago and were using the event as preparation for the championships in Israel.
Otieno said the swimming fraternity is uncertain regarding the fate of the sport in the country.
“It's not good for the sport, especially for the swimmers heading to the World Junior Championship. All the hard work and training they have put in seems to be going to waste," he noted.
Coach Lydia Musei, who is handling the team in Trinidad and Tobago, has urged World Aquatics to enable the swimmers to compete as neutral swimmers.
"My plea to World Aquatics is to let our swimmers continue swimming as neutral until the stalemate is resolved,” observed Musei.
Musei termed the swimmers in Trinidad and Tobago as the future of the country and noted that a ban will cripple their careers.
“ If it does happen then the swimmers will opt to pursue other careers or change sports," he noted.
Elsewhere, Kenya Swimming Federation (KSF) Kiambu county stakeholders have voted to rebrand themselves as Kiambu County Aquatics Association (KCAA).
County secretary, Douglas Okatso said the move was meant to symbolise inclusivity for all aquatic disciplines, not just swimming.
The stakeholders also voted to amend its constitution in line with Kenya Aquatics, Africa Aquatics and World Aquatics. The stakeholders also agreed on the representation of public schools in the board of the Executive Committee.
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