Sports associations must justify use of taxpayers money at global events

Team Kenya sent a strong contingent to the 21st Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, comprising 120 athletes in 15 disciplines. Yet, even before the end of the Club Games, it is apparent that only in the track events will Kenya win medals. Only a rare bronze medal by female boxer Christine Ongare in flyweight has been won outside the track.

In team sports, Kenya sent two rugby teams - men and women. The other disciplines are cycling, weightlifting, swimming, badminton, table tennis, para-athletes, shooting, squash and lawn bowls. Kenya also fielded participants in powerlifting, wrestling and triathlon but the story was the same – no medals as they all fell by the wayside. There is no doubt whatsoever that, evidently, Kenya’s position on the high table of dominant performers during international competitions is seriously under threat, especially when one considers the fact that disciplines that are perennially “Kenyan” are now being infiltrated like the 800m and 10,000m, among others.