Achesa’s tough bout as he replaces Wario: Appointment Federations want new Sports CS to work closely with them

Sportsmen and women hoping for better times once new Cabinet Secretary takes over.

The sports fraternity have laid out their expectations from the new Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Mohamed Achesa, whose name President Uhuru Kenyatta has forwarded to parliament.

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Richard Omwela asked Achesa, the new man expected at Kencom House, to make sure he understands federations describing outgoing Cabinet Secretary, Hassan Wario, as aloof.

“It is good riddance. Wario did little to help the federations. During his four years at the helm, he never made any effort to meet us and understand our problems or how we operate.

“We are just getting also to learn that he never presented any sports budgets to the national government for funding or even tried to talk to sponsors on our behalf to support our activities.

“We, therefore, expect the new man to work closely with us and help us promote our disciplines,” he said.

For Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa, the new Cabinet Secretary should work well with his federation and continue the relationship they have had with the ministry.

“We expect support from him as we had before. We also want him to complete the work on infrastructure that is ongoing and also just improve football in general as we have agreed,” he said.

Barnabas Korir, Kenya’s Chef de Mission to this year’s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia, said he hopes the appointing authority did due diligence before nominating Achesa.

“We wish to congratulate him for his nominations and we now ask him to listen to the real stakeholders as we are ready to support him.

“Regarding, the Commonwealth Games, we expect him to expedite the release of funds to help teams prepare well for the games.

“We desperately need money to move on with our preparation and hope this appointment is not a false start for sports,” Korir said.

Kenya Table Tennis Association (KTTA) chairman Andrew Mudibo said the new Sports Cabinet Secretary should have a re-look at the Sports Act and then rectify what has not worked.

“It is a high time we have a rethink on how we run sports. One of the things we must look at is the Sports Act and rectify what has not worked instead of crucifying an individual,” Mudibo said.

The new man takes over at a time confidence in his precedessor was at an all time low.

Wario was in the spotlight in the wake of 2016 Rio Olympic games after several athletes complained of mistreatment

He was also criticised when Kenya failed to host this year’s Africa Nations Championships (CHAN).