Sports officials hoping for funding in New Year

President FKF Nick Mwendwa (centre) and newly formed Interim NOCK Committee officials, Secretary General Andrew Mudibo (left) and Chairman Waithaka Kioni during a press conference in Nairobi on Saturday, Sept 10, 2016. PHOTO: [JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Sports officials are anxiously waiting for the Sports Fund to be in operation this year hoping it will help them proficiently fulfill their mandates.

Lack of funding has been a major headache in the past year and the appointment of a board to run the fund has brought with it great expectations.

Kenya Table Tennis Association chairman Andrew Mudibo says he wants the Sports Fund to immediately release Sh1billion to help federations clear pending bills.

“There must be no delay. The debts are well known and should be cleared immediately so that federations are given free hand to undertake their mandate,” he said.

He said it is only after the debts are cleared that federations now begin to think about their core mandate.

“It is difficult to think about development with huge debts on your back. After we clear the same, we can now focus on going to the grassroots to develop the sport.

“As table tennis, it will be a busy year as we try to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games by taking part in the All Africa games. We will also take part in the World Championships to be held in Hungary in May.”

In a busy year, culminating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) Acting Secretary General Francis Mutuku admitted that funding will be a key factor in ensuring as many teams as possible qualify to take part in the games in Tokyo.

“We are hoping that the Sports Fund can start releasing money to federations as quickly as possible to help in preparation. We just want don't want to go and make numbers at the Olympic Games,” he said.

Mutuku said NOCK is determined to have many sports disciplines in Tokyo to expand the country’s medal prospects.

“We will work with the many federations to help them prepare and qualify. We also want to enlarge the number of disciplines that are affiliated to the International Olympic Committee like fencing and encourage them to qualify.”

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa on his part sees a busy year for his federation, but insists that the Sports Fund will play a big role in helping them achieve their goals.

“We have a lot of things lined up this year and that is why we want to be funded to be able to achieve our goals. “In our basket this year is grassroots football, establishment of  elite centres and the Under-15 league. Obviously, the Africa Cup of Nations is our biggest priority,” he said.

Women football will also receive a lot of attention with a lot of focus on development at the grassroot.

Kenyan Premier League Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda says he expects a tough year due to a tight calendar and financial struggles that are affecting the clubs.

“We are going to have a tight calendar as we expect to finish the league by May so it is going to be very tough. It will be tight on players and clubs.

“Furthermore, clubs are really struggling financially and so we want to see if we can get more funding this year.”

On their relationship with FKF which has not been rosy Oguda said:”Our relationship with FKF has been great as we are doing what we are supposed to do and they are playing their role as well as an association.”

“Lasty, we have made the fixtures in such a way that factors in all matches involving the national team Harambee Stars as well as Gor Mahia who are  involved in CAF fixtures so we should have no problem.”