Sports Fund board must step up urgently

Harambee Stars Aboud Khamis celebrate with Johana Omondi (left) during Africa Cup Of Nations Group F return leg at Kasarani Stadium on October 14, 2018. [Photo, Standard]

This year promises to be a busy one in sport and Kenyans are full of expectations.

The national football team Harambee Stars will take part in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 15 years.

National teams will also feature in qualification tournaments ahead of next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Kenya is also expected to host next year’s IAAF World Under-20 championships but preparations must start this year. Add that to the World Athletics Championships in Qatar and the World Cross Country Championships in Denmark, and we have a busy calendar.

The Sports Fund must now urgently begin to operate because a huge amount of money will be needed for these events. Kenya lost the opportunity to host the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) last year as infrastructure was not ready due to lack of funding.

This year, it must be different and former Vice President Moody Awori -- who chairs the Sports Fund board -- must ensure all sports activities get enough funding. Officials from International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) are expected in the country this month to inspect facilities to host the Under-20 Championships.

Even with the imminent visit, the government has not established the Local Organising Committee as they are still waiting for funding. Lastly, Kenya must take the Olympic qualifiers seriously.

Many times, we just participate in major events without proper preparations.