Uhuru’s Gov’t To Blame For Poor Sports Facilities – Ababu Namwamba
On Saturday, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba blamed the former regime for the country’s dismal stadium conditions.
Namwamba, speaking while reviewing the construction of Bukhungu Stadium, noted that the country’s sports facilities have been neglected for nearly four decades.
He went on to explain that due to the country’s insufficient infrastructure, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) was compelled to organize a World Cup qualifier for the Harambee Stars in Malawi.
“For a long time, Kenya neglected sports facilities. There has been no serious investment in sports facilities for a long time. Nyayo was left and neglected for many years, Kasarani and even attempts to build new facilities, was just a joke,” stated Namwamba.
The CS went on to say that, despite being referred to as “international stadiums,” numerous stadiums in the country did not match FIFA’s requirements.
However, Namwamba had previously promised Kenyans that as part of the government’s efforts to restore stadiums, Nyayo Stadium would be renovated to the needed grade to hold events in June 2024.
Despite this pledge, the government has decided to have the national team host matches in Malawi, prompting criticism of the government’s lack of preparation and vision.
CS Namwamba’s declaration follows an incident on Friday in which Kenyan competitors threatened to boycott the next Olympic trials if they are not conducted at a World Athletics-certified venue.
Athletics Kenya (AK) is facing the dilemma of where to conduct the Olympics trials, scheduled from June 14-15, since Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums, the only two World Athletics-accredited venues in the country, are currently closed for renovation.
According to the competitors, the Olympic qualifications were scheduled to take place at the Ulinzi Complex, which did not have World Athletics-certified tracks.
As a result, any time recorded during the Ulinzi races would not count toward qualification for the Olympic Games, which will be held in July and August of this year.
Athletes are concerned that they will be barred from competing in the Olympics due to the June 30 qualification deadline.
Uhuru’s Gov’t To Blame For Poor Sports Facilities – Ababu Namwamba
