Sports Cabinet Secretary Wario targets better show in Olympics

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Nairobi,Kenya:Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Art Hassan Wario has sounded a warning to sports federations that preparations for Rio De Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016 must start immediately.

In his first public address since taking over office, Wario outlined his agenda prioritising performance at the Games. He said Kenya is capable of improving on its past results if at all it makes early preparations.

 “If we don’t plan early then we should blame no one for our failures,” he said on his first official function at the Ministry headquarters.

“I urged the federations to start preparing teams so that when the right time comes Kenya will be better placed to enter a larger and competent contingent to the games in Brazil.”

During the last games in London, Kenya only had less than 50 athletes in track and field, boxing, swimming and weight lifting. The Olympic games has over 27 disciplines.

Wario also explained that the National Sports Fund (NSF) will be set up early to help in the implementation of the road to Brazil.

He challenged the private sector to enhance national development by injecting support to the NSF kitty to boost the athletes welfare. On his part, he promised to appoint a competent and transparent committee to oversee the fund.

But he put bogus sports academies sprouting out in the country saying their time is up.

 “They will be regulated properly in accordance with the Sports Act 2013, we will ensure no briefcase organizations exists in the form of a sports academy,” he said.

But he outlined the need to increase the number of international friendly matches involving Kenya teams, which essentially encourages the country to bid to stage continental and international championships.

He said the national football team will have more international friendlies and other disciplines will also benefit from the same in a bid to market Kenya as a sporting destination.

Major competitions

“My Cabinet will ensure Kenya host international events in all federations,” he said.

According to Wario’s plan, sports legends too will have a reason to smile. All federations will be honoured by the State, as they are part of the attractions in the sports tourism.

He also noted that most federations have administrative problems and wrangling has been persistent.

However, he explained that amicable solutions should be sought in accordance with the Sport Act 2013.

The Secretary assured that he is committed to fulfilling the pledges made by the new Government on sports development saying the government is eager to achieve what is in its manifesto by 2019.

“Before we start building new stadia we will start repairing and restoring the old ones that are existing,” said Wario.

Apart from Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, many of Kenya sports facilities are in deplorable state and it will be a race against time for the ministry to renovate or put up new facilities so that more athletes in the country can have access to them.

At the same time, hosting of international championships will help expose many Kenyan sportsmen and help in their build up to major international competitions.

Already, several federations have expressed interest to stage international competitions in Kenya.

Athletics Kenya President Isaiah Kiplagat is on record having said that the country is ripe to stage the World Youth Championships while Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chairman Sam Nyamweya wants Kenya to host the Africa Nations Cup finals in 2019.