Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Cricket Kenya Press Release regarding Tom Tikolo's resignation

PRESS RELEASE

Cricket Kenya wishes to announce that an inquiry was held by the Cricket Kenya Board on Sunday 20th December 2009 at Parklands Sports Club to consider the allegations of misappropriation of cricket funds made against its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tom Tikolo (“Mr Tikolo”), by an anonymous group of individuals calling itself “Cricket Kenya Stakeholders”.

These allegations had been circulated to a number of media houses and in light of the serious nature of the allegations made, Cricket Kenya resolved to carry out investigations and to hold an inquiry at the earliest possible opportunity.

Cricket Kenya invited Mr Sharad Rao, Advocate, to assist the Board at the inquiry as an independent advisor. Mr Rao is a former Deputy Public Prosecutor and is Kenya’s current representative on the ICC Code of Conduct Commission. His contribution was invaluable.

The allegations against Mr Tikolo centred around:-

1) A refund given personally to Mr Tikolo amounting to some US$3,000 by Kenya Airways in respect of funds paid by Africa Cricket Association (ACA) for the airfares of players from East Africa who participated in the AfroAsia tournament held in India in 2007.

2) A travel grant of US$ 10,000 payable to Cricket Kenya by the organisers of the Clico Under 15 tournament held in West Indies in 2008 which amount was alleged to have been paid in cash to Mr Tikolo who failed to account for it.

THE KENYA AIRWAYS REFUND

The inquiry considered the investigations carried out which included submissions made by Mr Tikolo as well as enquiries raised with Mr Cassim Suliman (CEO of ACA), Kenya Airways and travel agents in the UK and their respective responses. The following facts are pertinent.

1) Kenya Airways refunded the difference to Mr Tikolo on 4th June 2007. This was paid into his personal account and thereafter topped up on 5th July 2007 by a further remittance from ACA.
2) At the material time, Mr Tikolo was in South Africa on an extended stay attending a course for CEOs at Wits Business School and the ACA AGM in Johannesburg.
3) Mr Cassim Suliman confirmed:-

• that he had several meetings in Johannesburg with Mr Tikolo (in his capacity as ACA tournament director) to discuss the AfroAsia tournament in India which was imminent.
• that the refund related to a Kenyan player (Mr Thomas Odoyo) who was playing league cricket in the UK and who would not be joining the team in Nairobi but would be flying to India directly from London.
• that there were problems with Mr Odoyo's visa to travel and that UK travel agents were dealing with the Indian High Commission to enable Mr Odoyo to travel.
• that Mr Tikolo would utilise all the money paid into his account to pay the UK travel agents for the ticket, for visa services and transport for Mr Odoyo in view of the urgency.
• that Mr Suliman was aware of and approved the course of action taken in order to ensure the player concerned would arrive in time for the tournament.

4) The UK travel agents have confirmed that they duly received payment in full from Mr Tikolo for the services they had rendered.

5) Kenya Airways also confirmed that since Cricket Kenya only had a cash account with them and that since the initial payment had been tendered by Mr Tikolo, they were obliged, in line with their policy, to make out a cheque for the refund in his name.

The inquiry was satisfied with the explanations and evidence received from Mr Tikolo and the other parties involved. In particular, the fact that ACA, who had supplied the funds, was fully aware of and approved the course of action taken by Mr Tikolo, there was no basis for concluding that any misappropriation had taken place in this matter.

THE CLICO TRAVEL GRANT

The inquiry considered the investigations carried out which included submissions made by Mr Tikolo as well as enquiries raised with the organisers of the Clico Under 15 tournament in the West Indies and other participating cricket boards.

In January 2008, the Cricket Kenya Board received details from Mr Tikolo of an invitation for Kenya to participate in an Under 15 tournament in the West Indies sponsored by Clico, a local finance group. The Board was informed that all local expenses (hotels, meals and incidentals) would be met by the hosts leaving the cost of travel to be met by Cricket Kenya. The tour was approved by the Board.

The hosts had, in fact, offered a travel grant of US$10,000 towards the team’s travel. This offer was communicated by the Project Co-ordinator, Mr Anthony Harford, in a private email exchange between himself and Mr Tikolo. When asked how he wished the grant to be disbursed, Mr Tikolo asked that the grant be paid over to him personally in cash when he arrived in the West Indies as Team Manager.

The grant was paid by the hosts to Mr Tikolo in cash as requested. Subsequently, the money was stolen from a bag belonging to Mr Tikolo and he reported this to the hosts requesting assistance.

The inquiry considered the response given by Mr Harford to the query raised with him. Mr Harford advised that Mr Tikolo had reported the loss to him and was worried about the repercussions at home when it was found that the money was missing. Although the hosts were not able to replace the money they agreed, in consultation with West Indies CEO, Dr. Peters, that “they would be willing to assist in defraying expenses for a Kenyan development team up to US$7500 as compensation for the loss of funds” in any future tour made by a Kenyan development team.

Mr Tikolo accepted the inquiry’s findings

• that the grant was money which belonged to Cricket Kenya
• that he should have disclosed the existence of the grant to the Board before he left on tour.
• that he should have disclosed the loss upon his return when reconciling the tour account.
• that his failure to disclose constituted a serious irregularity – irrespective of how honest his intentions may have been.
• that he should have come clean on this episode when questioned about it

Mr Tikolo made it clear that he had no intentions of any dishonesty but felt it best, in the interests of the game, that he should step aside. He confirmed that he was solely responsible for his actions and that the entire Board was unaware of this incident. He further clarified that there was no money due to Cricket Kenya from the AfroAsia tournament in 2007. Cricket Kenya simply made available the three players who were selected to play for the Africa team and each of these players received their match fees and allowances personally in India from the organisers.

Mr Tikolo offered his immediate resignation to the Cricket Kenya Board which was accepted. Mr Tikolo further agreed to reimburse the funds due to Cricket Kenya in full and to work out the modalities of such repayment with the Treasurer at the earliest opportunity.


- END -

Tom Tikolo's Resignation

Following the recent attacks on my character in the press (read Standard Newspapers), I have as on 20th December, 09 offered to resign as the Chief Executive Officer of Cricket Kenya in an effort not to be seen as an impediment to the general development of the game in the country.

Even as I take this decision to resign, I want to deny any wrong doing in all the dealings mentioned in those allegations. At the same time and for clarity purposes, I want to state that none of CK Board members as constituted have had any dealings whatsoever in the said allegations.

Building CK from scratch to where it is now has been a long, challenging, but extremely satisfying journey. Where we are now, I believe, is right on course. We have cleared all the debts with players, have contracts with the national team, and have built systems to move the game forward. Indeed, the foundation that we have laid is solid. We now have vibrant Provincial Bodies, we have a full time Development Department (with a reach of over 50 schools), we have a full time technical team management, we have fully contracted national team players, fully operational office, growth of Women’s’ cricket (that we now have U15, U19 and Open Age National Teams), Elite National Leagues and age group teams. We have become the hub of East African cricket and ACA has continually looked at CK to host various tournaments.

I am convinced that Kenyan cricket is standing on sound ground. It is my prayer that corporate and well wishers will see the tremendous potential the game has to change lives in this country – and start sponsoring – especially cricket development around the country. That is currently the missing link between our feeders into the national team, and is the limiting factor towards Kenya regaining her position in world class cricket.

When I took office in 2005, I came in with one goal: to bring back confidence in the game – especially in its administration. Cricket brought me to what I am – and I am proud of my record – as a player, Captain, EA Development Manager and finally as the CEO of CK. I would not want this record to be tarnished. Therefore, when my personal mail is hacked into for the purpose of casting aspersions on my integrity, the honorable option for me is to step aside.

I wish all true believers in Kenya’s cricket well. I want to reiterate that the foundation we have laid is right. I look forward to seeing the standards of the game rising to greater heights soon. And that is my prayer.

I must note here that I am an ardent reader of books authored by Robin Sharma and one of his books that I hold very dear is “Who will cry when you die”. For those boys, girls, ladies, gentlemen, men and women that I have inspired and encouraged in this noble game of cricket, I urge you not to cry as I am not dead. But for those faceless enemies that are out to tarnish my reputation, do not rejoice as there is no grave that you will dance around on and collect soil for your traditional rituals.

Finally, I wish to thank the board of CK (which has as members, people of good standing in our society) for the excellent support they have provided, staff for untiring support amidst great challenges, the provincial bodies, media, well wishers, my dear wife and our children and all those who have given me the impetus to give my all: may God bless you all.

Tom J. Tikolo

Monday, December 21, 2009

Kenya end year on a high


a markedly improved batting performance by Kenya in their final ODI v Uganda saw the team cruise to a massive 199 run victory to complete a 3-0 series whitewash and end the year on a high.

Maurice Ouma (72) and Seren Waters (55) opened the batting and gave Kenya an opening stand of 118 before Waters was finally trapped lbw by Henry Seyondo. Ouma then teamed up with Alex Obanda and the pair continued to attack the bowlers marching the score to 175. Obanda followed 20 runs later for a well made 57 with 10 overs to go but the platform had already been set.

David Obuya (23 off 18) and Rakep Patel (right) had both been moved down the order and responded in explosive fashion. Patel was particularly impressive smashing 71 off just 29 deliveries including 3 fours and 8 sixes! Run-a-ball cameo contributions from Nehemiah Odhiambo, Tony Suji and Elijah Otieno helped Kenya set 329/6 by the end of their 50 overs and with the bowlers so far in great form, the match already looked half won.

The first ball of Uganda's reply compounded matters for them as their best batsman of the tournament so far, Roger Mukasa, edged Odhiambo for Ouma to take the catch and give Kenya the best possible start to their defence. Akbar Baig (23) and Frank Nsubuga (43) added 75 for the second wicket taking a particular liking to Otieno, but the introduction of James Ngoche soon had both players back in the pavilion and Kenya once again looking strong.

Wickets then began to fall at regular intervals with only Benjamin Musoke (18) and Jonathan Sebanja (11) able to make it into double figures as the Kenyan bowlers continued their dominance. Hiren Varaiya (3/18 off 10) and James Ngoche (3/27 off 10) finished with the best figures, but Nehemiah Odhiambo (2/23) and Nelson Odhiambo (2/15) also contributed to an emphatic victory.

Having won the series 3-0 and with 2 huge margins in the first and last games, Kenya will feel that they have atoned for the 2-0 loss in the 20-20s. Work still remains to be done on the shorter format of the game, that is clear, but at least at ODI level, there is still some breathing space between them and their fast improving neighbour. Unless the development work by Cricket Kenya kicks up a further gear in 2010, the question will still remain for how much longer?

What is extremely positive from this series is to see the bulk of the youngsters in the team standing up and performing. Lucas Oluoch was impressive in both games he played and Rakep Patel continues to gain in confidence. Shem Obado and James Otieno Ngoche both took wickets and Nelson Odhiambo also showed an inkling of what he may be able to achieve. When he took over, coach Eldine Baptise warned the established players that there would be no sacred cows in the team, with the performances of the youngsters this series, there is certainly genuine debate now over several places in the squad and this competition can only lead to a stronger side. Questions still remain over some of the batting, but on the whole the future is beginning to look much brighter than it was a year ago.

Kenya 329/6 (Ouma 72, Patel 71, Obanda 57, Waters 55, Waiswa 2/58)
beat
Uganda 130 (Nsubuga 43, Baig 28, Varaiya 3/18, J Otieno 3/27, Nel Odhiambo 2/15, Neh Odhiambo 2/23)
by 199 runs

Kenya win series 3-0

Ladies are African Champions

Kenya Ladies yesterday beat Uganda by 29 runs to complete their whitewash of the continental championship and take the title for the first time.

Losing the toss, Kenya were put into bat and got off to a cautious start. Margaret Banja (4) was the first casualty for Kenya with the scores on 16 and Kenya suffered a minor collapse as Maria Aimee (6) and Belinda Maska (2) followed in quick succession to have Kenya at 3/32. Perlyne Omamo once again provided the glue to stick the Kenyan innings together and remained unfazed by the loss of her partners. She steadily compiled her first ever international half century as wickets continued to fall at the other end.

By the time Omamo fell for her well earned 60, Kenya had made 119 and went on to set a target of 136 thanks to contributions from Ruth Mwahiki (12*), Sarah Bhakita (11) and of course the ever present extras (25). Omamo has twice carried the team with her batting this tournament and should be extremely proud to have reached this personal milestone.

Uganda's reply got off to a shaky start with Bhakita and Banja combining to have them in trouble at 17/3 before Christine Aryemo (15) and Stella Atim (21) combined for a 44 run partnership for the 4th wicket that brought Uganda right back into the game. Ruth Mwihaki ended the fightback when she trapped Aryemo in front and Uganda experienced a collapse of their own as 3 wickets fell for just 4 runs (6/64).

Kenya continued to apply the pressure and Mwihaki was rewarded with her third wicket when Aweko was caught by Aimee. Frankline Nanjjumba fought to the end with an unbeaten 27 to give the Ugandans hope but the return of Bhakita compounded the pressure as she picked up Esther Osikol caught and bowled before Mart Belle polished off the last 2 wickets to see Kenya safely home.

This is a fantastic result for the Kenyan women and is a fitting reward for the hard work they have put in under new coach Dun Okinyo. Credit too should go to Cricket Kenya and the NPCA who introduced them to the men's league and ensured that the team had the opportunity to play regularly against good opposition. Again the call must now be made to look at introducing a second ladies side to the competition to continue this growth. The players are both available and keen and have proved they are a valuable return on investment.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Ladies inch closer to continental title

Kenya ladies beat Tanzania by 2 wickets to take them a step closer to an elusive continental championship with one final match against Uganda remaining between them and an historic achievement.

Tanzania won the toss and batted much better than in the teams' first meeting scoring 150/8 in their allotted overs. Khajida Nasibu (45), Asha Daudi (27) and Mwanaidi Ibrahim (23) the best performers with the bat, though once again extras contributed a significant 25 runs to the score.
Mercyline Adhiambo (3/16) and Emily Ruto (2/13) were the pick of the Kenyan bowlers with Belind Maska, Ruth Mwihaki and Margaret Banja all chipping in with a wicket a-piece.

Kenya's reply was held together largely by Perlyne Omamo whose 43 formed the backbone of the innings as Ibrahim (2/26) and Daudi (4/33) caused all sorts of trouble. Maska (20) and Mary Belle (14) were the next biggest contributors for Kenya as the match swung both ways. Once again, it was extras that hurt and the 33 runs given away by Tanzania enabled Mwihaki and Aliya Bauer to inch Kenya home with 2 wickets and 2 and a half overs remaining.

another win for the upcoming team of Kenyan cricket, but like their male counterparts, perhaps a warning against complacency would be well heeded. Kenya are now one match away from winning the continental title for the first time, but will need to pull out a better performance against Uganda today if they are to finish unbeaten and take the title they so richly deserve.

Tanzania Ladies 150/8 (Nasibu 45, Daudi 27, Adhiambo 3/16, Ruto (2/13)
lost to
Kenya Ladies 151/8 (Omamo 43, Maska 20, Daudi 4/33, Ibrahim 2/26)
by 2 wickets

2-0 but Batting problems persist

Kenya yesterday went 2-0 up in their ODI series with Uganda beating them by 1 wicket at Nairobi Gymkhana.

Winning the toss, Kenya elected to field and once again the opening attack of Alfred Luseno and Lucas Oluoch were key to Kenya gaining an early upper hand. Unlike the first game however, Uganda started brightly with Roger Mukasa (27) and Akbar Baig (18) putting on a brisk 34 before Luseno got the breakthrough clean bowling Mukasa.

Three overs later Oluoch got into the act removing number 3, Lawrence Sematimba without scoring. Baig followed shortly after trapped lbw by the left-hander and Uganda were in trouble at 3/48. A brief rally followed with Fred Isabirye (15) and Benjamin Musoke (16) adding 18 for the next wicket, but the run rate was slowing and Varaiya ended the partnership trapping Isabirye in front. Luseno picked up his second 1 run later when Henry Senyondo had his house knocked over and again Uganda were in trouble: 5/67 after 18 overs.

Musoke then found support in Arthur Ziraba (20) and Uganda recovered somewhat before Varaiya bowled Musoke (6/95). Ziraba was next back to the pavilion, run out by Jimmy Kamande (7/106) and the end was looming for the visitors. Kamande was the next to strike for Kenya as Frank Nsubuga departed lbw for 3 (8/113) but Ronald Semanda (20) stuck around long enough to help Uganda to 126 before he was last man out, bowled by Nehemiah Odhiambo who two overs earlier had run out Seiga Asadu.

All of the Kenyan bowlers impressed and while their economy rates were not quite as good as in the first ODI, Kenya would have gone into the break confident of another easy victory, especially considering the batting line up looked much stronger with the addition of Seren Waters and Alex Obanda.

If they thought it was to be a walk in the park, they were sorely disappointed as Uganda refused to go down without a fight and, just as in the first match, struck early when Waters was caught by Ziraba off the bowling of Jonathan Sebanja for a duck. David Obuya remained unfazed and appeared set on erasing his poor showing in the first game by racing to 24 off just 20 deliveries, but that was where his innings ended as he fell to Baig, caught by Nsubuga (2-30).

Rakep Patel had looked unstoppable in the first ODI, but he too fell after getting a start, lbw to Seyondo for 17 (3/56). Kenya then staged one of their by now famous collapses as alex Obanda (14), Maurice Ouma (7), Jimmy Kamande (5) and Shem Obado (0) all fell in quick succession to give Uganda the hope of victory with the score at 7/77.

Nehemiah Odhiambo (25) and Hiren Varaiya (14*) stuck to their guns however and pulled Kenya back to relative safety with a 33 run partnership before Baig had Odhiambo caught and bowled with Kenya still needing 17 for victory. When Nsubuga trapped Oluoch lbw 3 overs later, Kenya were still 11 runs short and Uganda could once again scent victory. Varaiya however stood firm with last man Luseno and it was the latter that saw Kenya home with a 4 to give the home side a nail biting victory.

At the end of the day Kenya won and take the series 2-0 with a game still to play, but this match must serve once again as a warning that Uganda are not to be taken lightly and that Kenya need to apply themselves better when at the crease. No disrespect to Uganda, but a stronger team would have made Kenya pay dearly for their mistakes. The final match of the series will be played today at Nairobi Gymkhana and Kenya need to once again win big if they want to avoid questions being asked as to why a weakened Uganda side has been so competitive against a Kenyan side that certainly looks very like it could be a future full strength side.

Uganda 126 (Mukasa 26, Semanda 21, Ziraba 20, Varaiya 2/17, Oluoch 2/24, Luseno 2/29)
lose to
Kenya 129/9 (Neh Odhiambo 25, D Obuya 24, Asadu 3/25)
by 1 wicket

Kenya lead 3 match series 2-0