Paul Bitok
Rwanda men’s national team head coach Paul Bitok has confirmed he is in talks with the Ministry of Sports and Culture on a possible contract extension as Rwanda’s Volleyball Federation Technical Director.
Kenyan Bitok’s current tenure will expire at the end of this month. The celebrated Kenyan coach has been at the helm of Rwandese volleyball for the last decade, helping them to rise and become one of the best in Africa across all surfaces and speaking to Capital Sport, Bitok says the government has asked him to stay on.
Speaking to Kenyan media early this week, Bitok said, “This week we had to negotiate with the Ministry of Sports. It is still pending after the minister requested to have some few months before leaving. I am yet to decide but will do so at the end of the month”
He added; “I can’t make a decision now because we still have a meeting on the 15th where we will decide on the way forward. After that we will see.”
Bitok is set to lead Rwanda’s beach volleyball teams to the World Championships in Germany with the games stretching all the way to next month, way after his contract ends.
He is also in Kenya taking charge of the Rwandese men’s team playing in the Africa Zone Five Championship which also acts as a qualifier for the Africa Games set to be held in Morocco in September.
The tactician who has previously coached the national women’s team had been touted for an active return in Kenyan coaching whether at club or national level but with the new development, he might be giving a few more years of service to the Rwandese.
But, as they mull over his contract, Bitok will be keen to help Rwanda qualify for the Africa Games, having led them to the 2011 and 2015 events.
Meanwhile, Rwanda started on a losing note as they fell to Egypt 3-1 in their opening game on Monday evening.
By press time, Rwanda was set to face Kenya in their second game of the tournament.
Kenya meanwhile will be looking to win the tie to keep their hopes of a first qualification to the Africa Games in seven attempts.
Remaining Zone 5 Qualifying Matches
June 5, 2019
Match 5- 14.00 -Uganda VS Rwanda
Match 6- 16.00 – Egypt VS Kenya
June 6, 2019
Match 8 -14.00 – Tanzania VS Uganda
Match 7 – 16.00 – Rwanda VS Egypt
June 7, 2019
Match 9 – 14.00 – Egypt VS Tanzania
Match 10-16.00 – Kenya VS Rwanda
