Dodda Ganesh removed as Kenya head coach just a month after appointment

NEW DELHI: Dodda Ganesh, a former fast bowler who represented India and Karnataka, has been removed from his position as the head coach of the Kenya men's cricket team.This decision comes just a month after he was appointed to the role in December. Ganesh, who featured in four Tests and a solitary ODI for India during his playing career, had signed a one-year contract with the Kenyan cricket board.According to a report published on nation.africa, quoted by IANS, Cricket Kenya's executive board has declared that the appointment of Ganesh was carried out improperly. Pearlyne Omami, the Director of Women's Cricket for Cricket Kenya, signed the letter on behalf of the other members of the board."Under a resolution of the executive board of Cricket Kenya passed on Wednesday, 28 August 2024, and anchored under inter alia Articles 5.9 and 8.4.3 of the Cricket Kenya Constitution, we wish to notify you that the executive board has declined to ratify your appointment as head coach of the men's cricket national team for want of following established procedures," read the aforementioned letter."Voided the purported contract made on August 7, 2024 between Mr Manoj Patel and yourself. Pursuant to the above, Cricket Kenya is not and shall not be bound by the said purported contract.""You are therefore directed to cease any further engagement or dealings with the men's national cricket team with immediate effect. Any concerns or claims relating to this notice should be channeled to Mr Manoj Patel and any other individuals who irregularly and unprocedurally engaged you in this respect," it concluded.Lameck Onyango, a former international player, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Kenya men's team, following the sudden departure of Ganesh. Onyango will be assisted by Joseph Angara, another former international player.The newly appointed coaching duo will immediately begin preparations for the upcoming ICC Division 2 Challenge League, which is set to take place in Nairobi this September. In the tournament, Kenya will face off against Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Denmark, and Jersey.The 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub-regional Qualifier B tournament will take place in Nairobi from October 17-26, where Kenya will compete against Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Mozambique, Seychelles, and Gambia.