By Gilbert Wandera

NAIROBI, KENYA: Despite repeated assurances of security, Kenyan champions Tusker have pulled out of this month’s Kagame Cup to be held in Sudan.

The Kenyan champions cited insecurity as the main reason for their withdrawal in a move that threatens to water down the level of competition in the event as Tanzanian clubs Yanga and Simba have threatened to pull-out as well.

Tusker chairman James Musyoki said the club is not comfortable playing their matches in the Kadugli City where they have been stationed during the two week tournament.

“We have been advised by our security department not to risk travelling to Kadugli City because no one can guarantee we will be safe. We do not want to put the lives of players and other officials in danger and so the best thing is to pull out,” he said.

Musyoki said they may reconsider participation if the venue is changed to another country or even the capital city Khartoum.

Kadugli is the capital city of South Kurdufan State in Sudan and houses one of the headquarters of the United Nations Mission in Sudan charged with keeping peace in war torn Darfur.

Apart from Tusker, other teams that were to be based in Kadugli city are Al-Hilal, Al Nasir, Al Ahly all from Sudan as well as Falcons from Zanzibar.

Musyoki further confirmed they have already written to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) informing them of their decision to pull out.

“We discussed our concerns with FKF and came to an agreement that it will be best to pull out. We have written to them so that they can inform the Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA),”Musyoki said.

FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya confirmed the same and criticized organisers for risking the lives of participating teams by taking the tournament to risky towns in Sudan.

“We have consulted with Tusker and agreed that they do not participate in the tournament. We are unhappy that CECAFA never consulted us before making a decision to take the tournament to Sudan.

“Kenya was ready to host the tournament but we were ignored. In future we must be consulted otherwise we will snub all their events,” Nyamweya said.

However, CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye insisted the tournament will go ahead even without Kenyan the champions.

“The tournament is good for our regional teams but it is unfortunate that politics has come into it and teams are pulling out for non-football reasons.

“However, we will go ahead and Tusker should be ready to face disciplinary action for confirming participation and pulling out at the last minute,” he warned.

He admitted that though Kenya had shown interest to host the tournament, it was not backed by any serious commitment.

The withdrawal of Tusker comes a day after two Tanzanian clubs Yanga and Simba also threatened to pull out due to security concerns.